Photo Contest Rule Discussion - At What Point Is It A Photo Editing ?

[Andy Resnick]

This is why I asked this. Note that in my very first post, I acknowledged the fact that digital cameras, in some sense, inherently processed the images. That's why I brought up this question on to what extent digital manipulation is allowed, and when it isn't. The rules clearly stated that cropping, brightness adjustments, etc. are all allowed. To me, that doesn't SIGNIFICANTLY change the "view" of what we see. However, what I see SecularSanity is doing with his camera does not, to me, fall within the INTENTION of the contest.

<snip>

Clearly, making rule #2 'simple' may not maintain the *intention* of what is a significant alteration.

Personally I would be happy with a significant alteration being defined as post-processing that varies over the image- things like cloning, selective coloration, burning and dodging, warping, etc are not allowed but things like black and white level settings, B&W/color, white-balancing, gamma correction, image stacking, etc would be.

Again, a simple rule cannot cover every single possible in-camera processing routine. Certainly there's nothing wrong with requiring full disclosure about what in-camera processing was performed (sharpening? red-eye removal? noise reduction? HDR? etc).

In any event, you are the organizer so the decision is yours to make.

Edit: I forgot to mention, in the spirit of 'leveling the field- P&S vs. DSLR', P&S cameras and cell phones have many more image manipulation routines, and some of them are automatic in that they are *always* applied- making the 'no alterations' too restrictive will disproportionately affect entry-level cameras, not high-end ones.

 

[lisab]

Alright, I agree. Selective color is a cheap trick, rather gimmicky. National Geographic’s philosophy is similar to ZapperZ’s. Why don’t we follow their guidelines? I withdrew my original photo, in hopes that B&W would remain acceptable. We all want you to continue this thread because you do provide very inspiring themes. What do you say, ZapperZ?

Pretty please?

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/digital-manipulation-notice/

I think National Geographic's guidelines are pretty good. Basically, they say: don't overdo it, keep it natural.

I suggest following these guidelines, with the photo contest moderator making the final call on what is too "overdone".

 

[DaveC426913]

I do not appreciate people gratuitously suspecting I have bad motives. You know full well I primarily submit black and white photos. I am arguing to defend the kind of photos I have always submitted. I am arguing because you are claiming my preferred medium is some sort of "special effect" when it is actually a traditional, well respected medium. Did you not understand the point of my linking to the two separate Einstein photos?

Do you understand that what you're proposing is going to cut ME out of future contests? I think if you consider that you'll understand I am not arguing for the sake of arguing.

I did not know that. No, it was not at all clear until now. Thank you for clarifying. Your stance makes perfect sense now.

 

[dlgoff]

We all want you to continue this thread because you do provide very inspiring themes.

Yes indeed. Thanks for your work ZapperZ.

 

[rollcast]

Just a quick question about the rule.

For the "True Blue" photo contest I had an idea for a image but I wasn't sure if it would be allow under this rule.

Basically I was thinking of taking the photo I had taken with my compact camera and then running it through Photoshop to simulate the effect of a colour filter on the image?

Or does that count as photo editing even though it is something you can do physically using lenses and stuff that I don't have?

 

[ZapperZ]

Just a quick question about the rule.

For the "True Blue" photo contest I had an idea for a image but I wasn't sure if it would be allow under this rule.

Basically I was thinking of taking the photo I had taken with my compact camera and then running it through Photoshop to simulate the effect of a colour filter on the image?

Or does that count as photo editing even though it is something you can do physically using lenses and stuff that I don't have?

That counts as photo editing and is not allowed.

Zz.