As a long-time digital designer, I’ve spent years mastering the art of Photoshop. When I swap my designer’s hat for my wildlife photographer’s cap, the skills I’ve honed come with me, but not for the reasons you might think.
No Deception, Just Perception
Let’s get one thing straight: the aim is not to deceive. You won’t find any photoshopped unicorns or two-headed deer on this blog. What you will find are shots that aim to bring out the inherent beauty and intricacy of nature. My goal is simple — to foster a deeper appreciation and love for the wilderness we share this planet with. Not all of my shots are Photoshopped and I try my best to get everything right in-camera first.
Tools of the Trade
Just as a carpenter wouldn’t be faulted for using a saw to shape wood, a photographer shouldn’t be chastised for using tools like Photoshop or Lightroom to shape an image. In my years working in digital design, I’ve found that these tools allow for a cleaner, sharper image that captures the awe of being there in the moment.
An Extension of the Lens
For me, Photoshop and Lightroom are extensions of my camera’s lens and serve to enhance the creative vision behind each shot. They help balance light, enrich colours, and sharpen details that might otherwise get lost in translation from the scene to the screen.
Capturing the Essence
The objective of my wildlife photography isn’t to showcase the world as a series of stark, unedited pixels but rather to capture its essence. It’s about creating an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject, encouraging a love and respect for the incredible diversity of life on Earth.
My Rule Book
- Ethics Over Aesthetics: Never manipulate an image in a way that misrepresents the behaviour or characteristics of an animal.
- Subtle Enhancements Only: Aim to make edits that enhance the image’s natural elements, such as colour and lighting, without distorting reality.
- Transparency with the Audience: Always be upfront about the extent of my edits when publishing or sharing your work.
- Respect the Subject: Don’t alter the physical features of an animal or plant to make them more “appealing”. Nature’s beauty is in its authenticity.
- Quality Over Quantity: Spend the necessary time on each image to bring out its best, even if it means fewer overall posts or shares.
- Consistency is Key: Keep a consistent style in my edits so my portfolio has a cohesive look and feel.
- Backup the Original: Always keep an unedited version of the image. I never know when I want to revisit or re-edit.
- No Distracting Elements: Remove elements that take away from the main subject, but not to the extent that it alters the natural setting or context.
- Tools Are Not Cheats: Understand that using Photoshop or Lightroom is not “cheating”; it’s using available tools to realise my creative vision.
- Limit the Filters: Overusing presets can make my images look unnatural or gimmicky. Custom edits often yield the best results.
- Learn and Evolve: Regularly update my editing skills and adapt to new techniques or tools that can improve my work.
- Share the Process: Whenever appropriate, include ‘before and after’ shots or breakdowns to educate my audience on the value of post-production.
The Takeaway
So, the next time you see one of my edited photos, know that it’s not about bending the truth, but about amplifying the beauty that’s already there. In doing so, I hope to inspire a greater love for wildlife, one frame at a time.
