Post-processing is an essential part of modern photography. It allows photographers to enhance, correct, and manipulate their images to create stunning works of art. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history of post-processing images, famous photographers who post-process, and why we need to post-process. We’ll also explore the differences between shooting in RAW and JPEG formats.

The History of Post-Processing Images

Post-processing has been around since the early days of photography. In the past, post-processing was a physical process that involved developing and printing images in a darkroom. Photographers would manipulate their images by adjusting exposure, contrast, and other elements to achieve the desired result.

With the advent of digital photography, post-processing moved from the darkroom to the computer. Today, photographers use software such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to post-process their images. This allows for greater control and flexibility over the final image.

Famous Photographers Who Post-Process

Many famous photographers post-process their images. One of the most notable is Ansel Adams, who was a pioneer in post-processing techniques. He used a process called “zone system” to manipulate his images and create his signature black and white landscape photographs.

Another famous photographer who post-processes his images is Peter Lik. He is known for his stunning landscape photographs that are often highly manipulated in post-processing to create a surreal, dreamlike effect.

Why We Need to Post-Process

There are several differences between what a camera sensor sees and what the human eye sees:

1. Field of View: The human eye has a much wider field of view than a camera sensor. Our eyes can see around 120 degrees of the horizontal field of view. The field of view (FOV) of a camera lens refers to the extent of the scene that can be captured by the lens. It is typically measured in degrees and is determined by the focal length of the lens and the size of the camera’s sensor. Here are some approximate field of view angles for commonly used lenses:
   • Ultra wide angle lenses: These lenses typically have a focal length of less than 20mm on a full-frame camera, and can have a field of view of 100 degrees or more. For example, a 16mm lens on a full-frame camera can have a field of view of around 110 degrees.
   • Wide angle lenses: These lenses typically have a focal length between 20mm and 35mm on a full-frame camera, and can have a field of view of around 70 to 100 degrees. For example, a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera can have a field of view of around 84 degrees.
   • Standard lenses: These lenses typically have a focal length between 35mm and 50mm on a full-frame camera, and can have a field of view of around 45 to 65 degrees. For example, a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera can have a field of view of around 47 degrees.
   • Telephoto lenses: These lenses typically have a focal length between 85mm and 135mm on a full-frame camera, and can have a field of view of around 20 to 35 degrees. For example, a 100mm lens on a full-frame camera can have a field of view of around 24 degrees.
   • Super telephoto lenses: These lenses typically have a focal length of 200mm or more on a full-frame camera, and can have a field of view of less than 20 degrees. For example, a 400mm lens on a full-frame camera can have a field of view of around 6 degrees.
2. Dynamic Range: The human eye has a much greater dynamic range than most camera sensors. We are able to perceive a much wider range of brightness levels in a scene, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, than most cameras can capture.
3. Color Perception: Our eyes are capable of perceiving a wider range of colors than most camera sensors. Camera sensors can capture a limited range of colors, whereas our eyes can see a wider spectrum of colors and shades.
4. Depth Perception: Our eyes are able to perceive depth and distance in a way that most camera sensors cannot. Cameras capture a flat, 2D image of a scene, whereas our eyes are able to perceive depth and distance in a 3D space.
5. Motion Perception: Our eyes are also able to perceive motion in a way that cameras cannot. Cameras capture a series of still images, whereas our eyes are able to perceive motion and movement in real-time.

Overall, while camera sensors are capable of capturing high-quality images, they still fall short of replicating the full range of visual perception of the human eye.

Post-processing is essential to photography for several reasons.

Firstly, post-processing techniques can be used to enhance the dynamic range of an image, bringing out details in the shadows and highlights that may not have been captured in the original photo.

Post processing allows photographers to correct any technical errors that may have occurred during the shoot, such as underexposure or overexposure. Post-processing also allows photographers to enhance or manipulate their images to create a specific look or mood.

Furthermore, post-processing can be used to remove unwanted elements from the image, such as dust or blemishes. It can also be used to crop or resize the image to better fit a specific purpose, such as printing or social media sharing.

The Difference Between Shooting in RAW and JPEG

When shooting in digital photography, photographers have the option to shoot in either RAW or JPEG formats. RAW files contain all of the information captured by the camera’s sensor, while JPEG files are compressed and have some information discarded.

Shooting in RAW allows for greater control over the final image in post-processing. RAW files retain all of the details captured by the sensor, allowing photographers to adjust exposure, contrast, and other elements with greater precision. Additionally, RAW files have a wider dynamic range, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing.

JPEG files, on the other hand, are compressed and have some information discarded. While shooting in JPEG can be more convenient, it provides less flexibility in post-processing. Once a JPEG file is saved, it cannot be manipulated as extensively as a RAW file.

In conclusion, post-processing is an essential part of modern photography. It has a rich history that dates back to the beginnings of photography, and many famous photographers have used post-processing techniques to create their stunning works of art. Post-processing allows photographers to correct technical errors, enhance or manipulate their images, and prepare them for specific purposes. When shooting in digital photography, shooting in RAW provides greater control and flexibility in post-processing than shooting in JPEG.