Photo Editing

Most photographers always talk about their "vision" and how they shot such and such. However, the in-camera aspect is only the first step toward realizing a vision. There was an old cliche among photographers that the only difference between pros and hobbyists were that pros took a lot more bad photos. There is some truth to that. Most good photographers take a liberal amount of images while out in the field and most of which ends up in the garbage bin. The goal is to come away with enough different images to edit into a story or portfolio when back home. The photo edit represents the final vision of the photographer.

Take for example a typical photo shoot. A "good" photographer can take all of the bad photos from that shoot and edit them into a "portfolio" of ten images and compare them to any ten photos from a "bad" photographer. They'd likely look similar in quality. No definitive vision, poor technique, horrible lighting, etc... The difference is that the better photographer will have also tried shooting enough different types of images to edit into a clear vision once the final edit is completed. He made bad images while in the quest for realizing a clear vision. The other photographer just merely took random photos.

How you edit and present your work creates the perception of who you are as a photographer. Look at the following two groups of examples I have posted here. The first group of photos represent bird habitats. The 2nd group of pictures are the birds that inhabit those habitats. If I were to show the 1st group in a portfolio, then I might be perceived as a fine art photographer. If I show the 2nd group, then I'd probably be considered a bird photographer. By having two distinct groups of images like this then I can market myself however I wish. The underlying message is that a photographers' vision is most easily viewed and understood when grouped together in coherent collections. It could be a single collection or many collections, the important part is to have them organized according to your goals.

Photo: Southern California Bird Habitats

Picture: Pacific Flyway Waterfowl

If you feel your photography is lacking direction, then try this exercise. Find a clear theme or subject matter to edit into a portfolio. Even a mediocre vacation snapshot photographer can probably have their pictures edited into a somewhat presentable portfolio by someone with a good eye if they were passionate about what they shot. If you never strike out, then you aren't swinging for the fences either.