The editing dilemma

Member John Paton has shared this essay with us with regard to Len's talk last month. Worth reading.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/the_art_of_fooling_around.shtml

I think Len's point was less about 'should we be doing extensive editing?' and more about whether or not minimally edited photos should compete against photos with advanced editing. 

Our exhibits are about showing our work first and foremost; sharing it with the community and promoting our club. It is secondarily a friendly competition to help us recognize what judges consider 'good' photography. It's educational. Some members like the competitive aspect of the exhibits. It spurs them to improve their work. And some members have no particular interest in competition. They like what they've done; they want to share it with others; and that's good enough for them. 

What about meetings that are competition nights? Personally I don't see a problem with judging all images side by side. Let the judgesI've seen some excellent work that was barely touched, if at all, by computer key strokes. It is possible to make very good, competitive, digital images that don't need editing. I've also seen unskillful editing or art work, call it what you will. We want to make our images look their best. If you're skilled enough to take advantage of editing software's potential then go for it. Or learn it. Talent is as much what you do with your camera as how you process the image files. This is the new world of photography and in some ways it is very close to film darkroom work where skill was required to get optimal prints. 

Share your thoughts with us.