I'd like to shoot but i don't like to use photoshop. do u think i'm

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or would it be better if i use photoshop!? since i'm not so good with it!. do national geographic's photographers use photoshop as well into their image/shoot!? please throw your experience if there's nat geo photographers here!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

National Geographic photographers do indeed use Adobe Photoshop, and use it within the ethics of photo journalism!. However this has not always been the case, during the very dawn of digital imaging back in the 1980's prior to Photoshop there was a machine sold by Scitex America that allowed images to be digitally manipulated!. One such photo appeared on the cover of National Geographic back in 1982 which you can read about here http://www!.museumofhoaxes!.com/hoax/photo!.!.!.
The image caused a big controversy as it brought to the publics attention for the first time the case of the ethics of photo journalism and digital imaging!. Not everybody trusts a newspaper article but it seems people trust photos!. When you start adding, subtracting or manipulating the physical contents within an image and the public becomes aware of it, this erodes the fabric of photo journalism!. People trust photos, and for the most part people have this trust that what National Geographic gives to the public is the truth unlike say the National Enquirer which isn't built on a foundation of truth!. This trust in National Geographic is why that 1982 cover photo was so controversial!. However, this does not mean that National Geographic images never get filtered through Photoshop, because indeed some of them do, but under a lot of scrutiny from the editor!.
Since you seem to be interested in photography from a photo journalistic standpoint I would suggest that you read up as much as you can on the ethics of photojournalism http://www!.journalismethics!.ca/online_jo!.!.!.
You should be aware however that just because you don't filter your images through Photoshop your images are still being edited by what you as a photographer choose and choose to include in your photo!. Fact is, even though most people trust photos, photos are not the whole truth!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think that you shouldn't limit yourself to not using it JUST because you don't know how!. You should try one day and play with the program, and see what it can do!. Then, when you know a bit about it, and are not interested with the features it has, and you want to continue on to take pictures without retouching them, then I say: Go ahead!. It's a matter of artistic license and opinion!. As long as you don't limit yourself because you don't feel like learning about the program, you will really be a true artist with strong direction and value!. :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm not an NG photographer, but !.!.!.

If you're a serious photographer, the use of Photoshop should be thought of as a three-phase process!. From what you've said, it appears that you should at least master the first phase and forget the other two!.

The phases are:
1!. Optimize
2!. Enhance
3!. Manipulate

Sadly, now that every beginner with a P&S thinks they can become an "artist" with crappy shooting and a pirated copy of PS, we've gotten the idea that Photoshop means only "manipulate!."

So think of Optimizing as doing those basic steps that will bring out the maximum quality of your original capture!. This really amounts to nothing more than the old film concept of properly developing and printing from a negative!.

I've been teaching PS for several years, and developed this three step concept some time ago!.

Here's my online tutorial on the basics of Optimizing!.

Step #3 is what I mean by "Optimizing!."

http://www!.jimsdigitaldiary!.com/photosho!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You do not need to use Photoshop, if you get everything right the first time in the camera!. Plenty of professionals shot everything on film for years without it!.

You will find it extremely hard to compete with the other people who do use it!.

I use Photoshop to organize, select, track and optimize my photos!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

photo shop is quite a conffuzling peice of software but if u want try photoshop light room! its simpler and designed just for photo manipulation and adjustments once u master this which isnt too hard u will feel confident to move to photoshop thats how me and my dad did it and hes a pro photographer!.

keep shootin :PWww@QuestionHome@Com