I prefer the second one as well, the sky is a little too purple for my tastes now though
I like this better, I am not a fan of editing, but then, thats why I wont ever get very far in this site.
I mean this looks like the original, dont like the green, I guess after viewing alot of HDR edits, Dont like the outcome.
I need to change my ways I guess, I put original's on here and thats not too exciting to Pro's.
In advance, please forgive the long response, I started typing and just couldn't stop
When I shot film I made the choice of what film I bought, in doing so I choose the look I wanted in the photos. Here’s a challenge: Shoot the same scene, with same settings with ASA 100 Velvia, Provia and E100, and see how they come out. They’ll all be different in one way or another and that’s because the film is doing much of the “editing” for you (Saturation contrast etc) Sure we could make changes to each of those photos when going to print in a darkroom afterwards, if we had a darkroom. These days, the darkroom is compressed into the computer.
Choosing to use camera defaults, is like choosing one type of film and sticking with it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, if you like the look of the defaults. There are so many in camera variables we can change with most SLRs today though (contrast, saturation, white balance etc). Depending on the model, many of them can be stored as presets…akin to choosing a different film. Many people don’t do this, heck I really only only tweak white balance and exposure. I do agree with the premise of getting it as close to what you want in camera, at least for those two aspects. Personally, I try to only use an editing program to clean-up/enhance photos to a point, but editing can really only do so much.
I wouldn’t discount editing photos on a computer; I also wouldn’t say you won’t go far on this site. There are all kinds of experience levels here and many different points of view. I think your voice counts as much as anyone elses’. But, maybe shifting your view of what editing tools are might help. They are really like just like the dark room that we never had access to when shooting film, with the added benefit of not having to stand in the dark and monkey with all kinds of chemicals. The photo is already there in the roll (memory card), just use the darkroom (computer) to tweak it. Personally I do think people all over the web do take editing too far attempting to salvage photos, and rely on it as a crutch for improper exposure, white balance etc.. The crop tool is also over aggressively used IMO, but that is just me
In the end: Are you happy with your photos? If not, what aren’t you happy about with them? Where are they falling short of your expectations? Figuring out the answer to those questions is a good step in the direction of getting where you want to go, and maybe editing is a tool you can use to get there. Asking for C&C on the boards is a good way to get help & opinions on how to get there. Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell weren’t born great photographers, I’m sure they were helped along the way by someone somewhere
I think we all tend to be our own worst critics when it comes to our photos. Don’t beat yourself up over stuff or get too frustrated & discouraged.
Dave