In browsing the plethora of photo galleries and forums I'm always amazed at the proud declaration made by many about their latest creation: "NO Photoshop or any post-processing!" or "Right out of the camera!"

Yikes! Are they nuts or just trying to justify the fact they have no software to do any serious work on an image? W. Eugene Smith worked 5 days on one image! You think the great A.A. created those images "right out of the camera?" No A.A. darkroom work or "post processing"? OMG!

I guess we are more victims of technology than we may suspect. While "out of the camera" in the digital world does produce (possibly) a more useable image than in the days of film, I don't think post processing (the 'now' word for darkroom work) should be turned into a dirty word or looked down on.

By limiting one's image-making ability to the capabilities built in to the optics and software of the digital camera you take your self a bit further out of the image. It becomes less your view and more of Canon's or Nikon's.

I'm not saying careful composition and use of camera controls and capabilities shouldn't be strived for, or can not produce a useable and fine image straightaway. But the idea that the image "out of the camera" is scared and should be left untouched does more to stifle creativity and discovery than it does good.