Creativity and the photographer

I touched on this topic a few days ago ( Has Photoshop Made It Too Easy ), but I really want to touch on this topic again. The topic is, does Photoshop or similar programs make it too easy to be creative?

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the use of editing techniques to change or add to a photograph. My friend is a very talented photographer and enjoys setting up creative sessions. We had discussed the use of Photoshop in some examples she showed me as she is learning how to utilize Photoshop more in post-processing. Later in the day she showed me some images and said she “made me feel like a lazy person not creating photographs”. I can understand that to a point.

Like my friend, I enjoy putting together props, selecting a location, the lighting, and everything else, but there are sometimes I cannot select and control the weather or environmental conditions. I may actually visualize my subjects in a storm, pouring rain, night, sunset, sunrise, or any other of a multitude of environmental conditions. I can wait for such conditions but if I’m using a model or other person will they be available on, often, a moment’s notice? Do I really want to be out during a lightning storm? We may have to wait months for foggy conditions but will it be the right season? What if I envision other elements that may or may not be something that I could find with any regularity?

I don’t believe Photoshop and the use of post-processing makes one lazy. I believe that it actually encourages more creativity. The use of programs like Photoshop creates opportunities. We can still set up the props, the lighting, the locations, and all the other elements and further enhance our vision through editing. Photoshop doesn’t make you lazy it actually creates better creativity.