When talking about overdoing or oversaturaiting photos to keep it realistic, I wouid strongly recommend to keep it real also how to tone your videos too.... I am quite tired to see how those who talk against saturation and contrast so often end up using "matte effect" to get this hipster or "filmic" style tone in their own images and videos. The color style used in your video here when you are talking is as little realistic as oversaturated super contrasty images. When I look at the world, I don't see the world like I would have 30 denim pantyhose covering my eyes... I would state that both saturated or desaturated photos or videos have their place. It is the photographers or film makers choise how you adjust and tone your photos. Moderation should be thought each time if you want to keep it realistic. And you can go even over if you want to express yourself how you felt there or if it is how you want to deliver the message. I would say that this super undersaturated matte effect is something you see even more in the Instagram and when a client wants to have their photos / wedding portraits / fashion shots / travel magazine ads / what ever with "the Instagram look". And I surely would like to see something new in the traveling and documentary photos as this undersaturated hipster look...
@@MrCranebay I'd say the color in the video is actually pretty realistic. It was shot right before the sun setting and there was a curtain over the window, so... it pretty much reflects reality. You seem rather angry. Don't take anything personally. At the end of the day, we're only sharing our opinions. Whatever anyone says can't be anything more than their opinion. ;)
@@nechamagutmann6851 Oh yes. I don't see that so much these days, but it was a BIG trend. Thought out vignetting can actually be good to draw attention towards something, but yeh... there are some tragic examples I can think of. :)
Hi Mitchell, i watched already a ton of videos about photography and editing. Your work, your videos that is the missing link, the small piece of educations which makes the difference. thank you
man, you are one of the legends, and I think in the future you will be a huge influence. I love your work and the way you look at things. You are almost perfect in every path. Thank you so much and always a pleasure to be learning from you.
You know, i've always tried to pay attention to my post-processing and not get carried away with all the sliders, curves, etc. Got a lot from the video, as always, especially the tip on split toning. I'm a beginner, albeit a 45 year old one, and i appreciate your insight and teaching. Thank's a lot for sharing this. Cheers!
Really thankful for the last tip! I found magnum photos site because of your recommendation in your old video . Keep up the good work and you deserve more reach! 🙌
Great vid. I'm still learning photo editing. But my first rule is to edit the pic, take a breath and dial it back a bit, as you suggest. I actually stopped going to my local camera club because there were so many over-processed images, and these were winning the competitions - over vivid, HDR, naff filters... Sometimes it has a place, but I don't really see it as photography. Thanks for your videos, they do help me make sense of what adds to making good images.
Yes! This is what I like! I'm looking for this look in my Images and I love documentary photography very much! These are all things someone should know, but being remembered is always good
As I finish the last lessons from your Light-Based Presets and Photo-editing Video Training series this video comes as a perfectly-timed summary...plus I can't get enough of your insights and content😄 For me the content and esthetic you have is something I don't find everywhere. It's always helpful and I feel like I've found the resources that resonate with me and my photography goals. You remind us we don't need to compromise our artistic preferences and make overly -saturated images that look nothing like what exactly saw in reality. Big thank you!! ~Jennifer
Great Tips, and very valuable insight on realistic after process work. It's refreshing to learn from your experience. I really love your work and enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing!
Just finally getting around to watching this one... Something you may or may not know is that generally speaking,side by side, people will prefer the more vibrant or bright photo unless it becomes overaaturated. This is a kind of important note when understanding why people overdo the editing on the photos or add all the filters. Best proof for this is MKBHDs videos on smart phone camera round up he's done a few years in a row now.
Late reply, but saw this and had to comment. :) Just because people like something, doesn't mean it's the right way to do things or whether it's good. MacDonalds is liked by millions, but it's junk food. There's fast-food of photo editing too. :)
@@mitchellkphotos Late reply to a late reply. Just for fun though. Right and wrong imply an objective standard against which things can be measured. In the case of photography, our best candidate would probably be the bits reality that the healthy human eye can see and our brains comprehend as they actually are. This immediately rules out B&W, infrared, ultraviolet, 1:1 crops, shallow DOF, ultra wide angle, super telephoto, etc. For video we can add slow motion and timelapse. Photographing things as they are places us all in the photojournalism category.
thank yo for this. For years and years all the photoshop book always promoted this S-curve as part of the post processing workflow, and for years and years I have always thought, yeah the makes my photo look really bad, I don't see the appeal. You suggest a much more nuanced approach.
Hi, I am interested in your course and was wondering whether you would consider creating your presets for Capture One as well? I don't use lightroom anymore
Hey, I do get this question a lot, but Lightroom still seems to be by far the preferred app, so, no I wouldn't be making them. The whole package is aimed at Lightroom, as presets are the basis of the adjustments I teach to make later.
@@mitchellkphotos Okay. Then I will consider whether it is still worth for me to take the course or not. I will check how difficult it is to recreate presets of LR in Capture One.
I'm not sure if Peter Mckinnon agrees with you ;) It's so objective in my opinion. There is no good or bad. If you (and if you mind the audience) like the work you make then you are golden. Now you are influencing people to embed the style YOU like. Follow you own path everybody. Happy picture editing.
Of course everything is subjective. That's why I kinda hint at the beginning who this is for. If someone is happy with alien eyes - great, go on happy. :) But, if we're after documenting or creating life-like images, then it makes sense to "keep it real." 🙂
I agree 100% regarding over edited photos. I see an increasing amount of over edited photos appear on social media and these often get the most likes. The new breed of "AI" branded tools bring powerful editing tools which can save a lot of time to experienced photo editors. However they also allow people who are inexperienced in editing to make changes often with a single click. I fear that alien eyes and skies could become the norm on social media in the future.
Good video, thanks... might I add that the prevalence of the glassy eye look particularly in doc/travel portraiture may have something to do with the Afghan girl (I am in no way trying to diss mr. McCurry or his work, just a conjecture)
Yes, oh yes I have... Nice to look back at your own work and notice the things that you would avoid now. I am so thankful for your honest and thoughtful insights about photography. I learn a lot from your videos. It might be my subjective opinion and I wish you only the best, I find the background suoundtrack inconsistent and outdated, I believe you would attract a wider audience and make your videos more engaging if you would work on that aspect. The content is gold though! Best wishes from Bergen
What do you mean by "outdated"? Music is indeed sooo subjective. I have a specific taste and hate most music in videos, haha. Do you have an example of what you think is good? Would love to get an idea if we're on the same page.
@@mitchellkphotos ok, now I realized that by the word "outdated" I only specifically referred to the very last music piece in the outro, it gave me a feeling of a 90 computer game theme song (something like ua-cam.com/video/5Lp0GJNTRV0/v-deo.html :). The actual issue with this video, from my point of view, is that the music sometimes does not compliment the subject matter. To be specific the 5:20 electro-synth piece and the cholita with llama :) or the 7:20 music for my taste does not really compliment the video. The audio of the whole video sounded a bit flat. I believe that if you had more dynamic audio (strong intro ↑, silent background↓, strong section presentation sound/visual ↑, silent background ↓, strong positive outro ↑) it would be more appealing for the wider audience. Best wishes, Domantas
@@domantasstukas Thanks a lot for the feedback, I do have to say that it's very subjective. I'm not attached to those tracks, but I think they work. They don't compliment the cholita, but they compliment post-processing. Haha. But, sometimes it's a bit of a hit and miss. Thank you for your input!
I could not agree more, you just forgot the beloved clarity slider ;) But at the other hand, it looks like there is a need for overdone photographs. It's one thing, that you see these on Instagram or some website. It's a different thing when overdone images like that win competitions or are shown at big exhibitions from well known photographers (not writing any names). With considering this, I often asked myself, is there a need to overdo images to become successful? For me this is a rhetorical question, because lately I shoot mostly wet plates. And for my digital work, the magazine I work for is not interested in photographs that are overdone. But who can you blame, if some part of the industry has a need for it?
Yeh, I mean, on the one hand, I don't care. On the other hand... it's aesthetically criminal. And, I'm ok if people are open about it, but saying - hey, this is documentary and being so blatantly "surreal", it's just wrong. :)
So many truth in this film about photos in social media. Great tips, a specialty last one, a bonu one, but you forgot added your own site or account, there are so many great photos too.
@@mitchellkphotos Now you yourself are an inspiration to others. I visit the website of magnum and national geographic myself, the truth is that it's a higher level than what you can see every day in social media.
Hi Mitchell. Those alien eyes are a frightening trend (not guilty of that one) and the general focus to overblow colors (yeah, guilty) makes me wonder when the youth-apps for enlarging one's eyes - like here in China - will ever be an accepted societal norm with AI photo eyes or real surgery as we merge towards being cyber-beings. 😵 Anyway, for those thinking about grabbing Mitchell's courses - do it. works for me! Great insights and teaching that inspires better image-making. Regards - MRP
Opinion from a self-learner....self-taughter....(is that a word?) whose photos could be summed up as 'meh'....: I think I was lucky to be in my forties when I first began learning editing - been around a bit so less chances of having a need to follow. Although I have always had an intense interest in photography/videography I have never really had the disposable income to 'get into it' when I was younger. I am from the ancient days of yore when film was all that was available. Back then it was either give up any plans on a post secondary education and buy good equipment or buy a point and shoot film camera. Not much you can learn other than composition and what speed film you should buy with a point and shoot. Along comes digital and the world opens up to me. However, now I have to 'develop' my images myself. Gulp. It has been a long and somewhat frustrating road since 2012. Along the way I have come across a wide gamut of styles, trends and gimmicks as well as the 'uninformed' who have the power to either propel your image or bury it and they LOVED all those trends. Problems arise if you are like me and don't follow trends. I don't do instagram and influencers. Just writing the word influencers gives me hives lol! Not many educators on UA-cam et al remark on the differences in genres and tend to paint photography with a broad brush. Some treat all beginners as if they were on the road to stardom so recommend all sorts of equipment, programs, etc while others just pat you on the head and tell you to buy their presets (and to sit down before we hurt ourselves)... Some push the instagram-like style as if it is the only style around and others forget, in their snobbery, that documentary style photography is sort of the original kind of photography. Conversely I have found those who will argue that artful editing isn't photography at all or that if you aren't the next Ansel Adams, you're wasting your time. I appreciate you making the distinction of realism in travel/landscape genre as opposed to drawing a line in the sand while saying Never Ever do this...Ever. Artful editing is just that - art. Realism therefore can take a back seat to the editors whims but definitely NOT in this genre. I've made attempts at artful editing (composites, day to night, sky replacement) but now I will shoot something specifically keeping an eventual composite in mind. I won't just take any photo and try to make it what it isn't. When I'm shooting live events or bands then it is a mix of real and artful editing. Most of the time though it is the natural world I'm shooting so keeping it real is important to me. It's weird how you sometimes feel you should make excuses for presenting images that are realistic instead of overdone... The most horrific thing I've seen people do, aside from overdone HDR, is use the smudge filter. I can't stress enough how much I detest the smudge filters. You're aging. You have wrinkles . Live with it. Sheesh.
Haha! The smudge filter. YES! Maybe that should be outlawed completely! And, you're right - there's a place for everything. That's why I sorta set it up that if you're interested in documentary or life-like photography - these are my thoughts. And yes, I think for me one of the biggest issues is when people make something pass off as something that it isn't. I'm ok if someone says - hey, this is "art" (what is art?) or, I'm just playing around and experimenting, seeing what I can come up with. But when people try to make it look like they're representing reality. It's almost like an insult to the viewer. :) Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Bonus tips were for creating realistic photos and getting realistic girlfriend :D Cheers Mitchel, i came across your videos and I think ill be a better photographer if i can remember even 5% in the field.
Thanks for this video. I am guilty!! In my quest to better my photography, I have succumb to the trends in a lot of ways. When I return to give my shots another go, I find myself dialing back settings, usually never the other way around. I have taken this video to heart, and I appreciate it. Real never gets old! @r_m_foster
@@akhilcc Dramatic colors are good, but it's important to find the right balance for where it's still colors that represent some sort of reality and when they're just out of this planet. Haha. Well, it's important if you're into proper documentary work, otherwise - no limits. :)
More of a landscapes, portrait guy. Still. Thank you. I did that eye thing recently. And all that dramatic coloir out of the world things, It attracts followers. Not professionals but it helps in building follower numbers on instagram. I hv always liked yur pictures and the way yu keep it natural still dramatic. Still here at my place even clients want that alien presets 💀😬 time to change
@@akhilcc Haha! Like I say, they're trends. Trends are in and out. A few things have changed since I got into photography about 20 years ago. A relatively short period of time, but even in this time I can see the difference.
Are you guilty of some of these “photo-editing crimes?” What are some of the most “horrific” things you’ve seen people do in processing their photos?
When talking about overdoing or oversaturaiting photos to keep it realistic, I wouid strongly recommend to keep it real also how to tone your videos too.... I am quite tired to see how those who talk against saturation and contrast so often end up using "matte effect" to get this hipster or "filmic" style tone in their own images and videos. The color style used in your video here when you are talking is as little realistic as oversaturated super contrasty images. When I look at the world, I don't see the world like I would have 30 denim pantyhose covering my eyes... I would state that both saturated or desaturated photos or videos have their place. It is the photographers or film makers choise how you adjust and tone your photos. Moderation should be thought each time if you want to keep it realistic. And you can go even over if you want to express yourself how you felt there or if it is how you want to deliver the message. I would say that this super undersaturated matte effect is something you see even more in the Instagram and when a client wants to have their photos / wedding portraits / fashion shots / travel magazine ads / what ever with "the Instagram look". And I surely would like to see something new in the traveling and documentary photos as this undersaturated hipster look...
@@MrCranebay I'd say the color in the video is actually pretty realistic. It was shot right before the sun setting and there was a curtain over the window, so... it pretty much reflects reality. You seem rather angry. Don't take anything personally. At the end of the day, we're only sharing our opinions. Whatever anyone says can't be anything more than their opinion. ;)
@Paul Rodden Haha, Luminar is actually really good. It's that sky replacement tool... scary. :)
I can't stand when people over vignette their photos
@@nechamagutmann6851 Oh yes. I don't see that so much these days, but it was a BIG trend. Thought out vignetting can actually be good to draw attention towards something, but yeh... there are some tragic examples I can think of. :)
Hi Mitchell, i watched already a ton of videos about photography and editing. Your work, your videos that is the missing link, the small piece of educations which makes the difference. thank you
man, you are one of the legends, and I think in the future you will be a huge influence.
I love your work and the way you look at things. You are almost perfect in every path.
Thank you so much and always a pleasure to be learning from you.
Haha. Thank you so much for your kind words. I don't think there's anything resembling perfection, but nice to see that some people enjoy it.
You know, i've always tried to pay attention to my post-processing and not get carried away with all the sliders, curves, etc. Got a lot from the video, as always, especially the tip on split toning. I'm a beginner, albeit a 45 year old one, and i appreciate your insight and teaching. Thank's a lot for sharing this. Cheers!
Not a problem. Happy to be useful. 🙂
Thanks Mitchell, a good reminder ... it’s so easy to go down this path of over processing
Great content as always! By the way, probably made every single mistake you talked about :)
Haha, we've all been there. The first step is recognising that we are. 🙂
the bonus advice was so spot on... thanks for a great video :)
This is one of few real photographers on youtube. the rest just call themselves photographers
Your videos always help to bring my photos to the next level. Great tips.
Thanks. We need more of these reminders as it is too easy to go too far.
Glad to be of use. :)
Really thankful for the last tip! I found magnum photos site because of your recommendation in your old video . Keep up the good work and you deserve more reach! 🙌
Thank you and glad to hear that. :)
Great vid. I'm still learning photo editing. But my first rule is to edit the pic, take a breath and dial it back a bit, as you suggest. I actually stopped going to my local camera club because there were so many over-processed images, and these were winning the competitions - over vivid, HDR, naff filters... Sometimes it has a place, but I don't really see it as photography. Thanks for your videos, they do help me make sense of what adds to making good images.
Yes! This is what I like! I'm looking for this look in my Images and I love documentary photography very much! These are all things someone should know, but being remembered is always good
Indeed we do need to remind ourselves sometimes. :)
It’s so important video for all photographers, thank you so much
Your last tip *chef kiss*
Thank you for recommending Magnum photos, I'm looking at it and It's definitely a gold mine.
:)
Oh, I've recommended it numerous times, haha. It's where you can see many of the legends' work.
Thank you for this video and your editing courses :-) . This made me re-edit some recent family photos. The are much better now, indeed!
Awesome! 🙂
I agree 1000%. I was one of those people that went down that path with over editing and grew tired of it quickly. Thanks for your knowledge, Mitchell.
Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. :)
Great content as always.
Keep safe mate!
Love & prayers from the Philippines 🙏🏻🇵🇭
Thank you!
As I finish the last lessons from your Light-Based Presets and Photo-editing Video Training series this video comes as a perfectly-timed summary...plus I can't get enough of your insights and content😄
For me the content and esthetic you have is something I don't find everywhere. It's always helpful and I feel like I've found the resources that resonate with me and my photography goals. You remind us we don't need to compromise our artistic preferences and make overly -saturated images that look nothing like what exactly saw in reality.
Big thank you!! ~Jennifer
Thanks for your feedback. Yeh, I think too many of us are "lost" when it comes to photo-editing.
Great Tips, and very valuable insight on realistic after process work. It's refreshing to learn from your experience. I really love your work and enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the kind words. 🙂
Just finally getting around to watching this one... Something you may or may not know is that generally speaking,side by side, people will prefer the more vibrant or bright photo unless it becomes overaaturated. This is a kind of important note when understanding why people overdo the editing on the photos or add all the filters.
Best proof for this is MKBHDs videos on smart phone camera round up he's done a few years in a row now.
Late reply, but saw this and had to comment. :) Just because people like something, doesn't mean it's the right way to do things or whether it's good. MacDonalds is liked by millions, but it's junk food. There's fast-food of photo editing too. :)
@@mitchellkphotos Late reply to a late reply. Just for fun though. Right and wrong imply an objective standard against which things can be measured. In the case of photography, our best candidate would probably be the bits reality that the healthy human eye can see and our brains comprehend as they actually are. This immediately rules out B&W, infrared, ultraviolet, 1:1 crops, shallow DOF, ultra wide angle, super telephoto, etc. For video we can add slow motion and timelapse.
Photographing things as they are places us all in the photojournalism category.
I love your photos and your site! Thank you David
Thank you for your kind words, David. :)
Finally!! Somebody had to say it! 😂
😂
Ohhhh brother... You saved me at correct time 🙏
Haha
thank yo for this. For years and years all the photoshop book always promoted this S-curve as part of the post processing workflow, and for years and years I have always thought, yeah the makes my photo look really bad, I don't see the appeal. You suggest a much more nuanced approach.
Hi, I am interested in your course and was wondering whether you would consider creating your presets for Capture One as well? I don't use lightroom anymore
Hey, I do get this question a lot, but Lightroom still seems to be by far the preferred app, so, no I wouldn't be making them. The whole package is aimed at Lightroom, as presets are the basis of the adjustments I teach to make later.
@@mitchellkphotos Okay. Then I will consider whether it is still worth for me to take the course or not. I will check how difficult it is to recreate presets of LR in Capture One.
From South of Brazil. Thank you for the constant inspiration.
Thank you for watching and commenting :)
Классно, как всегда! Без лишних слов, ровно в точку!
Spasibo :)
I'm not sure if Peter Mckinnon agrees with you ;)
It's so objective in my opinion. There is no good or bad. If you (and if you mind the audience) like the work you make then you are golden.
Now you are influencing people to embed the style YOU like.
Follow you own path everybody. Happy picture editing.
Of course everything is subjective. That's why I kinda hint at the beginning who this is for. If someone is happy with alien eyes - great, go on happy. :) But, if we're after documenting or creating life-like images, then it makes sense to "keep it real." 🙂
Hey. Thanks for the videos. Will your presets work in older lightroom versions as well? Thanks and have a great day
Not before V Lightroom 7.3
Fantastic video! Trends come and go, but good work never ages
True!
Thank you,. That was very helpful.
Great to hear!
I agree 100% regarding over edited photos. I see an increasing amount of over edited photos appear on social media and these often get the most likes. The new breed of "AI" branded tools bring powerful editing tools which can save a lot of time to experienced photo editors. However they also allow people who are inexperienced in editing to make changes often with a single click. I fear that alien eyes and skies could become the norm on social media in the future.
Yes, the AI tools are potentially great, but... a powerful tool in the wrong hands... :)
Good video, thanks... might I add that the prevalence of the glassy eye look particularly in doc/travel portraiture may have something to do with the Afghan girl (I am in no way trying to diss mr. McCurry or his work, just a conjecture)
Thank you! I'm sure it does have something to do with the Afghan girl, but not everyone's Afghan girl. :)
Your last tip is exceptionally wise advise.
Glad you think so! Thank you.
exclent .. your thoughts are awsome
I love you're work man
Thank you! :)
Great content. Love it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Refreshing!
Yes, oh yes I have... Nice to look back at your own work and notice the things that you would avoid now.
I am so thankful for your honest and thoughtful insights about photography. I learn a lot from your videos. It might be my subjective opinion and I wish you only the best, I find the background suoundtrack inconsistent and outdated, I believe you would attract a wider audience and make your videos more engaging if you would work on that aspect. The content is gold though! Best wishes from Bergen
What do you mean by "outdated"? Music is indeed sooo subjective. I have a specific taste and hate most music in videos, haha. Do you have an example of what you think is good? Would love to get an idea if we're on the same page.
@@mitchellkphotos ok, now I realized that by the word "outdated" I only specifically referred to the very last music piece in the outro, it gave me a feeling of a 90 computer game theme song (something like ua-cam.com/video/5Lp0GJNTRV0/v-deo.html :). The actual issue with this video, from my point of view, is that the music sometimes does not compliment the subject matter. To be specific the 5:20 electro-synth piece and the cholita with llama :) or the 7:20 music for my taste does not really compliment the video.
The audio of the whole video sounded a bit flat. I believe that if you had more dynamic audio (strong intro ↑, silent background↓, strong section presentation sound/visual ↑, silent background ↓, strong positive outro ↑) it would be more appealing for the wider audience.
Best wishes, Domantas
@@domantasstukas Thanks a lot for the feedback, I do have to say that it's very subjective. I'm not attached to those tracks, but I think they work. They don't compliment the cholita, but they compliment post-processing. Haha. But, sometimes it's a bit of a hit and miss. Thank you for your input!
look a Casio guy ! Very good choice of timepiece :)
No one's gonna force me to wear anything else! 😂
Amazing content as always :)
Thanks for that.
I could not agree more, you just forgot the beloved clarity slider ;) But at the other hand, it looks like there is a need for overdone photographs. It's one thing, that you see these on Instagram or some website. It's a different thing when overdone images like that win competitions or are shown at big exhibitions from well known photographers (not writing any names). With considering this, I often asked myself, is there a need to overdo images to become successful? For me this is a rhetorical question, because lately I shoot mostly wet plates. And for my digital work, the magazine I work for is not interested in photographs that are overdone. But who can you blame, if some part of the industry has a need for it?
Yeh, I mean, on the one hand, I don't care. On the other hand... it's aesthetically criminal. And, I'm ok if people are open about it, but saying - hey, this is documentary and being so blatantly "surreal", it's just wrong. :)
@@mitchellkphotos maybe it was a space force documentary ;)
@@mhaustria 🤣🤣🤣😭
Hi Mitchell, do these presets work in lightroom CC/mobile as well as classic?
They should, but the training if for classic.
So many truth in this film about photos in social media. Great tips, a specialty last one, a bonu one, but you forgot added your own site or account, there are so many great photos too.
Haha. Thank you so much. Magnum is on a different level. Most of these people were my inspiration. :)
@@mitchellkphotos Now you yourself are an inspiration to others. I visit the website of magnum and national geographic myself, the truth is that it's a higher level than what you can see every day in social media.
I'm shooting with a eos 2000d and a 18-55 kitlens atm. Any budget friendly upgrade ideas?
No idea man. Not shooting Canon for a long time. But, I'd look at a 35mm and see how much that costs.
Yeah a 35mm lens is awesome👌🏼 and also check out a 23ish focal lenght. Thats also a great allrounder.
Great Sir.
From India...
Thanks :)
Thank you..
Hi Mitchell.
Those alien eyes are a frightening trend (not guilty of that one) and the general focus to overblow colors (yeah, guilty) makes me wonder when the youth-apps for enlarging one's eyes - like here in China - will ever be an accepted societal norm with AI photo eyes or real surgery as we merge towards being cyber-beings. 😵
Anyway, for those thinking about grabbing Mitchell's courses - do it. works for me! Great insights and teaching that inspires better image-making.
Regards - MRP
Opinion from a self-learner....self-taughter....(is that a word?) whose photos could be summed up as 'meh'....: I think I was lucky to be in my forties when I first began learning editing - been around a bit so less chances of having a need to follow. Although I have always had an intense interest in photography/videography I have never really had the disposable income to 'get into it' when I was younger. I am from the ancient days of yore when film was all that was available. Back then it was either give up any plans on a post secondary education and buy good equipment or buy a point and shoot film camera. Not much you can learn other than composition and what speed film you should buy with a point and shoot. Along comes digital and the world opens up to me. However, now I have to 'develop' my images myself. Gulp. It has been a long and somewhat frustrating road since 2012. Along the way I have come across a wide gamut of styles, trends and gimmicks as well as the 'uninformed' who have the power to either propel your image or bury it and they LOVED all those trends. Problems arise if you are like me and don't follow trends. I don't do instagram and influencers. Just writing the word influencers gives me hives lol! Not many educators on UA-cam et al remark on the differences in genres and tend to paint photography with a broad brush. Some treat all beginners as if they were on the road to stardom so recommend all sorts of equipment, programs, etc while others just pat you on the head and tell you to buy their presets (and to sit down before we hurt ourselves)... Some push the instagram-like style as if it is the only style around and others forget, in their snobbery, that documentary style photography is sort of the original kind of photography. Conversely I have found those who will argue that artful editing isn't photography at all or that if you aren't the next Ansel Adams, you're wasting your time.
I appreciate you making the distinction of realism in travel/landscape genre as opposed to drawing a line in the sand while saying Never Ever do this...Ever. Artful editing is just that - art. Realism therefore can take a back seat to the editors whims but definitely NOT in this genre. I've made attempts at artful editing (composites, day to night, sky replacement) but now I will shoot something specifically keeping an eventual composite in mind. I won't just take any photo and try to make it what it isn't. When I'm shooting live events or bands then it is a mix of real and artful editing. Most of the time though it is the natural world I'm shooting so keeping it real is important to me. It's weird how you sometimes feel you should make excuses for presenting images that are realistic instead of overdone...
The most horrific thing I've seen people do, aside from overdone HDR, is use the smudge filter. I can't stress enough how much I detest the smudge filters. You're aging. You have wrinkles . Live with it. Sheesh.
Haha! The smudge filter. YES! Maybe that should be outlawed completely! And, you're right - there's a place for everything. That's why I sorta set it up that if you're interested in documentary or life-like photography - these are my thoughts. And yes, I think for me one of the biggest issues is when people make something pass off as something that it isn't. I'm ok if someone says - hey, this is "art" (what is art?) or, I'm just playing around and experimenting, seeing what I can come up with.
But when people try to make it look like they're representing reality. It's almost like an insult to the viewer. :)
Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
@@mitchellkphotos Thanks for taking the time to read it! :D
More good stuff, thanks.
Thanks for watching :)
I am looking forward to next week's lesson Have a good night peace and blessings don't 4 get ur mask
Bonus tips were for creating realistic photos and getting realistic girlfriend :D
Cheers Mitchel, i came across your videos and I think ill be a better photographer if i can remember even 5% in the field.
"... and if you want help..." 😂
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Thanks for this video. I am guilty!! In my quest to better my photography, I have succumb to the trends in a lot of ways. When I return to give my shots another go, I find myself dialing back settings, usually never the other way around. I have taken this video to heart, and I appreciate it. Real never gets old! @r_m_foster
Dialling back is generally what happens. 🙂Thanks for watching.
So many images of late look like they are from another planet 🌎 not ours 😱
Hehe, indeed.
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Haha.
Need to reevaluvate my editing styles. But i do like a bit dramatic colours in some pictures. Good video mitchel ❤️💜
@@akhilcc Dramatic colors are good, but it's important to find the right balance for where it's still colors that represent some sort of reality and when they're just out of this planet. Haha. Well, it's important if you're into proper documentary work, otherwise - no limits. :)
More of a landscapes, portrait guy. Still. Thank you. I did that eye thing recently. And all that dramatic coloir out of the world things, It attracts followers. Not professionals but it helps in building follower numbers on instagram. I hv always liked yur pictures and the way yu keep it natural still dramatic. Still here at my place even clients want that alien presets 💀😬 time to change
@@akhilcc Haha! Like I say, they're trends. Trends are in and out. A few things have changed since I got into photography about 20 years ago. A relatively short period of time, but even in this time I can see the difference.