This week I guided a client I guided on a private workshop for a day and a half. We traveled all over the San Juan Mountains here in the Ridgway / Ouray area in search of great photographic opportunities. We talked about many aspects of photography, both technical and creative. We also spent a few hours in front of the computer in my studio reviewing his photos and looking at digital work flow and Photoshop techniques.

One of the technical topics that came up often while we were in the field was the use of Photoshop. I began my shooting in the days before Photoshop. The photographers and photographs I admired and studied when I was learning did not have Photoshop. In discussions about shooting and Photoshop my belief is that you should get it right in camera. Now don’t get me wrong, I use Photoshop a lot. I correct all my images for color, contrast, etc. I sometimes also manipulate images. But if there is something I can “fix” my not making the mistake in the first place that is my first choice.

Laziness or lack of knowledge about how to do something in camera is not an excuse for me to use Photoshop. Honestly, I prefer to be in the field shooting with my camera a lot more than in my studio sitting in front of my computer fixing things in a photo that could have been avoided in the field.

This morning I came across this snippet of wisdom from Albert Watson to young photographers. It speaks to this very topic and struck a chord with me.

Learn how to do it right in camera. Take the extra steps when you are shooting in the field or studio. Move your camera’s position to avoid that distracting tree branch sticking into the frame. remember to set the correct white balance on your camera. I think you will  find that it actually saves you time in the end.