Wondering what others think about manipulation in Photoshop (or any other editor for that matter).
I find it easier to just take good pictures in the first place.
The only after the photo shoot changes I make are: color correction
and cropping.
Elaine, I do appreciate your concern for taking a good photo in the
first place rather than using post work to try and get a good image.
However as a jeweler of many years and a quite skilled photographer,
I must say that often. for the best rendering of a jewelry item some
postwork beyond color correction and crop is desired. No post work
will make a bad photo into a good one. An ok photo may be improved
but for a truly fine jewelry image the original photo(s) must be as
good as can be straight from camera. Then, the image is made as best
as can be in software. The difference is often dramatic and very
effective while true to the jewelry item and true to the need for an
excellent original photo.
Must has to do with the purpose of the photo in the first place. For
a training tutorial I would likely keep it nice and clear to the
purpose. For an adveteising photo or as part of a portfolio the
ability to use graphic design of a photographic sort is vital. That
sort of result does not generally come straight from camera no
matter how good is your set-up. The simple nature of diffused light
to control reflection from highly polished metal does what for
wonderful sparkly colored gems? Diffused light deadens the stones.
To get the best stone and the best metal in the same photo is a
challenge generally beyond practical means or good sense when
postwork softwarehas the easy and likely quicker answer.
While I strive for the best in-camera photo, I realize post work
software is just another tool in the workflow. Yes, the photo from
camera must be quite good to start to have excellence in the final
image. Tom.