The Beauty We Erase: How Over-Editing Distorts Nature

Through photography, we hope to be truthful. To capture the beauty, the atmosphere, the moment, and hold it longer than what it was mortally meant to last. Playing with time like gods seems physically impossible to those two-hundred years ago. Editing is used as a way to distort the past to elicit a more powerful memory. One remembers dramatic shadows hiking through understory, or an uncrowded trail, but the camera photographed people and dark lighting. It has become tempting to take those photographs and distort them to what you remember, how you felt, but I warn you to be honest and true to the photo.

Photography Captures Flaws

Photo via source

The perfect nature photo does not exist. Photographers spend hours trying to get the perfect angle, the perfect lighting, the perfect shot. I see those, and I pity them, for they have traveled all this way to see the wonder through a lens, like in a magazine. They do not share the joy with those that they travel with. They do not smell, touch, stare, be awestruck because they pursue a photo that will not materialize. Imperfect photos are the perfect photos because they remind us of the choices that we made to experience the natural world instead of bottling it. Embrace them and be reminded of the choice you made by having those photos.

Capture the Memory

Photo via source

Nature photography captures the natural, so why change it? Heavy saturation, editing, color manipulation is inaccurate to the experiences you have. Artists use these techniques because they either believe that is what will make the image popular or they desire to capture a feeling in a way the image did not. Popularity is not a wise pursuit. Being yourself is admirable. If you are trying to capture the memory and photography is not doing it - may I suggest other ways. Journaling, sketching, printmaking, rock collecting (where appropriate), activates other senses making the memory more important. Memories are deeper when involving more senses.

May you have many more fond memories to capture.