Is it me or the software?
Years ago, I received a random comment somewhere online that essentially said, “Anyone can make pretty photos if you just move a few sliders.”
The gist was that the photos I produce aren't really the result of my skills with a camera or composition. Instead, it's just powerful software that can make anything look good - even bad photos.
I completely disagree. You need skills in BOTH.
Obviously, it struck a nerve with me. Software is clearly a big part of how photographs are made, but it's not the entire part. And much of my “photography identity” IS about editing photos. I don't hide that or shy away from it. My YouTube channel is literally dedicated to that premise. So is my website. So is this blog.
I want to be clear: making the photo is the entire point. Taking the photo is only part of the equation.
“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams
Even the great Ansel Adams knew this, and his iconic photographs were made YEARS before we had the software we have today. He famously spent hours in the darkroom, crafting his masterpieces. Clearly, that was AFTER actually taking the photograph. Nowadays, we just do the darkroom part on a computer, but the idea is the same - we are MAKING a photograph.
It seems some folks believe that photography is literally just walking up to a spot, raising the camera, and clicking a button. That belief implies there isn't a lot of skill involved, but rather just good locations, great timing, and maybe a little luck.
But making a photograph, especially a good photograph, is a LOT of work. Of course, good locations and great light can help, but there is much more to it than that.
So what goes into making a photograph?
Here are a few things that come to mind:
Researching a location prior to arriving
Determining optimal sunrise/sunset timing and location
Checking the weather and adjusting location/timing if needed
Arriving early enough to scout before the light is right
Experimenting with various compositions (working the scene)
Experimenting with various focal lengths
Experimenting with various subjects
Experimenting with various camera settings (exposure time, aperture, etc.)
Taking test shots to validate those settings
Taking countless images before, during, and after the light hits
Backing up photos while on the road
Backing them up again, multiple times, once you are home
Importing all your photos to your library
Reviewing them, which includes culling, rating, etc.
Picking a few to start editing
Editing, which itself is potentially a lot of work
Exporting, printing, sharing, adding to a portfolio, blog, social media, etc.
Re-editing some photos because you decided something didn't look right 🙂
Basking in all the glory of a job well done LOL
There are plenty of other micro-steps in each of the above - and surely I've accidentally left some out - but the point is that this FAR exceeds “just moving a few sliders to make it look pretty” or “just showing up at the right time.”
This is a lot of work!
So yes, I agree that software can absolutely enhance a photo. In some cases, it can even improve a photo that wasn't particularly good to begin with. But software can't replace the photographer's judgment. It can't decide what you want to say with an image, recognize the right moment, or make all those creative decisions for you.
It's not just the software at work. It's all of it - planning, executing, editing - wrapped up into a lot of work that can create a beautiful photo at the end of the entire process.
And that's why I don't see editing as something separate from photography. It's part of photography. It's one more place where we make decisions, solve problems, and bring our vision to life.
The software is a tool. The photographer is the one making the photograph.
How do you feel about this topic?
Want to make better photos?
My free Editing Framework gives you a simple, repeatable approach to editing in Luminar - so you can focus less on the tools and more on your creative vision. Get it here.
