Opinions no doubt vary, but here's mine (since it's my image): Post processing is part and parcel of digital imaging, and is not "cheating" in any way, shape, or form. I'm speaking of cropping and adjusting levels and such, not cutting and pasting to make "photo-chopped" images. While I very much appreciate the kind intent when you say my image needed no "improving" or "altering", I gotta say yes, actually it does, and so does any image as far as I'm concerned. When you have a whole world of adjustments to make, there's simply no reason to accept an image straight out of the camera as the best you can possibly offer.
I'm not sure I've taken a picture yet that couldn't be improved by tweaking saturation or contrast, or maybe sharpening, or whatever helps it. And it isn't just a modern thing, top photogs used all sorts of "darkroom magic" to put a polish on their images back in film days.
Karl, I love what you did there; the image with the light background makes the diatom look like it's chrome plated, it really knocks me out, very cool!
If anyone else cares to take a shot at it, the offer's still open.
) and the way you set up the photographic system.
