The Perfect Photo Does Not Exist

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

These days, I see many perfect photos. Every element is in the right place and nothing is distracting in the image. Sometimes I wonder whether it is a real photo at all. Embrace imperfections and show that your photo is real.

We are flooded with images. The internet, social media, forums, everywhere you look, there are photos. Usually of the subject that appeals to you most. Those photos are often almost or completely perfect.

When you see a perfect photo, you can be almost certain that changes have been made to some degree. The photo is no longer reality. The world around us is not perfect, after all.

The software we use also makes it very easy and accessible to create a perfect photo. Until it is no longer a photo, but a computer-generated image.

We have reached a point where a photo is almost expected to be perfect. Of course, we can and should aim for that. While taking the photo, that is.

Don't take a photo with the words: "I'll correct that in post-processing." If an imperfection cannot be prevented when taking the photo, accept it. Or even embrace it.

Of course, removing small things in post-processing does not have to be a problem. Blades of grass in front of an animal's head. Or a small branch that just sticks into the side of a photo. But there is a limit.

Where do you draw the line? Would you change body shape or features? Generate extra content with AI? Replace the sky? Or do you accept what you have and show reality?

Remember that there is room for all forms of digital image editing. Where you draw the line is very personal. But are you honest about it? Let us know in a comment below this post.

You might also like

0 comments

Have your say