photo processing no nos!

[KristinCB]

May we make a thread and point out the things we think should not be done to our photos? (this is not regarding anyone specific just certain things that drive us crazy)

1. please don't make the grass neon.

2. please don't make eyeballs blinding white.

[NeverendingJen]

Do not over airbrush skin! Skin should have texture and color subtleties!

[KimberlyMorris]

I did this a lot when I first got photoshop no crazy unnatural eye colors.

[deepounds]

Ditto the over-whitening thing, only on teeth . . .

[emmasmommy]

Originally Posted by deepounds

Ditto the over-whitening thing, only on teeth . . .

this.

for the love of pete.

[MommaTrish]

Originally Posted by NeverendingJen

Do not over airbrush skin! Skin should have texture and color subtleties!

I can't even airbrush Bella's 99% of the time. It tends to look overdone on it's own.

I totally ditto the eyes!!!

[Megan Turnidge]

I think some of the things that bother me when I look at photos are because the person who edited them can't tell they've done it because their screen is so darn bright or their calibration is so off. I say this because when I used to edit my photos on my old laptop, I thought the photos looked great and the colors were good, but once I got my Mac, I also calibrated it with a Spyder and went back to look at my pics and OMGOSH!!! They are terrible! Terrible skin tones and color casts, whole areas completely blown out... but it was merely because I wasn't viewing my photos correctly before since the calibration on my laptop was so bad. I try to be more understanding now when I view other people's photos because I know MOST people are not calibrated.

[MissKim]

Not really a fan of selective coloring just for the purpose of showing the photographer can do selective coloring.

The eyes are rough. I've taken several photos recently where the eyes look overdone... and I didn't touch them. Then again, we have some serious blue eyes in my family (and in my classroom).

My own guilty is oversharpening. I've learned so much more about post-processing.

[4noisyboys]

I over sharpen too, but sometimes it's the effect I want.

[nun69]

ditto on the brights...
1. don't overdue your color
2. don't overdue the noise reduction so they look plastic
3. I am also not a fan of selctive coloring
4. don't overdo your B&W conversions...

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by mturnidge

I think some of the things that bother me when I look at photos are because the person who edited them can't tell they've done it because their screen is so darn bright or their calibration is so off. I say this because when I used to edit my photos on my old laptop, I thought the photos looked great and the colors were good, but once I got my Mac, I also calibrated it with a Spyder and went back to look at my pics and OMGOSH!!! They are terrible! Terrible skin tones and color casts, whole areas completely blown out... but it was merely because I wasn't viewing my photos correctly before since the calibration on my laptop was so bad. I try to be more understanding now when I view other people's photos because I know MOST people are not calibrated.

Yes to this! My laptop is calibrated, but the calibration doesn't work as well when the laptop runs on battery. If I forget and edit on battery then plug in for the correct calibration, things are all blown out! I try to cut people some slack since the photos probably look fine to them, but some of it is just beginners loving their new photoshop tricks.

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

Eh, sooooo much of post processing is in personal tastes.

I agree with that, too. Personally, I like vibrant but realistic colors. But the trends seem to be on either end of the spectrum, either super soft, vintagey colors or very popped colors.

[KristinCB]

i hope i am not coming off as like i'm not sure a not nice person

[glumirk]

...is feeling the need for monitor calibration...

I hate the oversharpened eyes that feel like aliens are staring at you. Especially in children.

Ditto the over-airbrushed/over-saturated photos, but some people actually pay big bucks to have their photos done that way, so I guess it's personal preference.

[Shawna]

Originally Posted by mturnidge

I think some of the things that bother me when I look at photos are because the person who edited them can't tell they've done it because their screen is so darn bright or their calibration is so off. I say this because when I used to edit my photos on my old laptop, I thought the photos looked great and the colors were good, but once I got my Mac, I also calibrated it with a Spyder and went back to look at my pics and OMGOSH!!! They are terrible! Terrible skin tones and color casts, whole areas completely blown out... but it was merely because I wasn't viewing my photos correctly before since the calibration on my laptop was so bad. I try to be more understanding now when I view other people's photos because I know MOST people are not calibrated.

I agree 100% with Megan, after being properly calibrated for almost a year (I use the X-Rite Eye One Display LT though) I can definitely tell when someone isn't calibrated now. I also agree though that post processing has a lot to do with personal taste, I personally prefer the soft hazy vintage look but I know not everyone else prefers that pp style.

[lovely1m]

Originally Posted by mturnidge

. I try to be more understanding now when I view other people's photos because I know MOST people are not calibrated.

word. I *know* mine is way, way off, so I have to guess. It sucks.

[MandaT]

There are things I cringe at when I see them & think.."What are they doing?!?!"
-selective coloring
-fake airbrushing
-oversharpened, especially the eyes
-overwhitened eyes & teeth
-bad "sepia" tinting

It's all in personal taste though...sometimes I like a little different look, but mostly I like clear, clean, vibrant processing.