Since the introduction of photo editing software it’s become easier and easier to edit our digital photos. It is so easy to put a picture into the program, fix up the mistakes that exist and ‘beautify’ our digital photos. But does this really enhance our artistic ability with digital photography? In other words, does it make us better photographers? Let’s look at this for a moment.

Imagine standing at a beautiful scene. You’ve traveled miles to get there. And now you have finally been able to take a digital photo of the scene. All looks good in your viewfinder and you feel you have taken a great shot. But then after the day, as you have arrived back at your hotel, you realized that the digital picture isn’t as good as you think it is. As it was a once off opportunity you might just feel as if your heart has sunk. You can not go back to take another one to try and ‘get it right.’

What do you do? In this scenario you make it back safely to your home and insert the memory card into your computer and begin to ‘fix’ the mistakes in Adobe Photoshop.® Thankfully this software has given you a much better photo. Okay it’s not what you wanted but at least its better. So now you have the luxury of ‘fixing’ your photographic mistakes at anytime. A good thing. Or is it?

Photo Editing Software is fantastic. It allows you to fix mistakes you can’t go back to again, and it provides hours of fun and entertainment. I have edited many photos when I want to create a different version of that picture. And you can do some amazing stuff with Adobe especially. I’ve got a friend who can teach you how to use Adobe for about ten dollars a month and within days you’ll be getting great results.

As much as I love it, the only trap with this thinking is that it has the potential to develop into a habit. The problem with this habit is that it doesn’t allow you to develop your artistic skills. And if you do digital photography with undeveloped artistic skills then you must proceed back to the beginning and relearn many things.

Editing software is great, such as the above situation. But still it’s your artistic and technical skills together, as a digital photographer, that will give you the BEST PHOTOGRAPHY. These skills will last as long as you do and provide the ability to give you so many wonderful memories.

If you have Adobe, like I do, please use it for fun and alteration, not to replace artistic skill. Otherwise before you take the picture, rather than fiddling too much with the settings, you can just place it on auto and get some pictures. That way you let the camera do the work. Often this can be a good way if you’re in a hurry and want a great digital image fast. Having good artistic skills in digital photography is essential because you won’t be developing dependent habits, and will learn to solely rely on your own ability, which is what digital photography is all about.

And remember - you can’t fix everything with photo editing software. Just minor things.

Amy Renfrey writes a bi-weekly/occasional article for The Corner Blog. Amy is a digital photographer, a photography teacher, and author of the popular Digital Photography Success package as well as her new book Powerful Landscape Photography. For more information, or to purchase her Photography Package, visit her site: Digital Photography Success and Powerful Landscape Photography.