How much photo editing is acceptable before it feels overdone?
Asked 6/19/2013
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I sometimes worry that I edit my photos too heavily and that it may hurt their natural beauty, even when other people still like the result. Is there any general rule for how much post-processing is acceptable, or does it depend on the type and purpose of the image?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
1
First, what is a click?
Now, how much editing is acceptable depends on the type of image and what it is being used for. Photojournalists will often say that even arranging things in a scene before an image is taken is too much editing, never mind post processing (I've heard National Geographic requires RAW files to be submitted along with the developed images to ensure the integrity). In these cases most global adjustments are okay (exposure, for example), but things like the clone stamp or healing brush are not.
However, for pretty much anything that uses a model, particularly female models, it seems that there is no limit on what is acceptable. And certainly if you're creating something surreal, like a post-apocalyptic times square in NY, then that will take a lot of editing as well.
Also consider that most everyone considers a half decent picture to be AMAZING because they really don't know what they're looking at or don't know what to look for. If you want real critiques of your work ask other photographers or artists that know what good and bad really looks like and can tell you where you fall.
Originally by user9510. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9510
13y ago
0
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There isn’t a single “correct” amount of editing. What’s acceptable depends mostly on the image’s purpose.
For documentary or photojournalistic work, editing is usually expected to be minimal and honest: global adjustments like exposure, contrast, and color correction are generally acceptable, while adding/removing elements or heavy retouching is often considered inappropriate.
For portraits, fashion, commercial, fine-art, or surreal work, much heavier editing can be completely acceptable if it serves the creative vision. In those genres, the final image matters more than strict realism.
So “too much” editing is really when the processing works against your intent—when it distracts from the subject, looks unconvincing, or weakens the image rather than improving it. Too little editing can also leave a photo short of its potential.
A good test is: does the edit support the message, style, and context of the photo? If yes, it’s probably fine. If the editing becomes the main thing viewers notice when that wasn’t your goal, it may be overdone.
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