Editing a photo until now is still a pretty tough debate. Basically, this topic divides into two major groups, namely the first group is those who support a photo through editing software or post processing. The second group are those who are clearly against the touch of software in a photo work. So which one is true and can be accounted for?

First, the supporting group usually argues that a photo should be post-processed, the goal is of course just to make the photo look more beautiful, beautiful, the black skin can be a little white, the white one should not be too white.

Then there are those who argue because of the demands of the profession, for example, consumers want their pre-wedding photos to look like they’ve been taken on the moon, so it’s impossible for them to pre-wed on the moon, so the photo is edited so that the background looks like on the moon.

As for the group who feel that a photo shouldn’t need to be edited, they usually reason that the photo should be straight from the camera, and we don’t need to change it anymore, add this or that term, we don’t need to edit it again. Usually when you see a photo on a Facebook or Flickr post, the comment is always “The photo came straight from the camera or was it edited again?”

Fine, I will not support any group and side with any party, because basically I love peace. It’s just that there are a few things that we need to clarify in the comparison of the two opinions earlier. Among others:

1. The photo directly from the camera means it is not edited

Too bad if you shoot in RAW format which is mostly unreadable on your device, all JPEG photos produced from your camera are basically edited. Who edited? How to?

In every existing camera, it is always equipped with a processor as the brain of the camera that regulates the entire operation of the camera. Simply put, a camera that you hold at this time, is like a small computer that also has a processor, the processor on the camera depends on the brand of your camera.

At Canon, the processor is known as Digic which is currently rumored to be releasing a Canon camera with a Digic 6 processor which is the latest processor. At Nikon, the processor is known as Exped, where the latest one is Expeed 5A on the Nikon 1 J5.

The function of the processor that controls the camera and is closely related to processing your images or photos. When light is received by the sensor and then converted into electronic data, the data is then processed by the camera processor, converted into a photo file in jpeg format, using pre-arranged settings, the settings on the camera are usually called picture style or picture control.

So actually the photo has been edited by your camera, whether it’s sharpening settings, saturation and so on. When you shoot raw this process is skipped, because the camera sends it directly to the memory card. However, this raw file is a raw file, you can’t when you want to eat cake, you only eat flour or butter, of course it must be processed first.

2. All photos must be edited

Same with the first point, unless you always shoot raw where the result of a photo requires post processing, not all photos require editing.

There are certain conditions where a photo doesn’t need to be edited, for example when you need the photo right away, of course you won’t be able to edit it again, also when for example you take a photo for news or news purposes.

A photojournalism usually sets strict boundaries in photo editing.

Do not let the photo edits make the conditions in the environment being photographed different from the actual reality, therefore photos for journalism are usually left to use the results of direct camera edits at their location.

3. Massive editing

Unless it is your client’s request for commercial purposes, editing to changing the essence or facts of a photo is sometimes not good, although it depends on your individual taste.

Doesn’t simple make perfect? Sometimes it’s the simplicity in a photo that makes it look more beautiful. In fact, when you edit that much, you could say we have manipulated the photo, if you have changed most of the things in the photo, or added things that were not there before, but again it comes back to each of you.

If you feel comfortable with it, why not? If, for example, you take part in a photo competition or competition, usually editing is only permitted to be limited to cropping or sharpening, read the provisions that are usually included. Don’t let your editing close your chance to win the prize, right?

Those three things first that maybe we can at least understand in terms of photo editing, which is definitely finding your own style in shooting, developing it and showing the beauty behind your photos.