Your Editing Style, AI, or Keeping Photography Real

This blog might ruffle a few feathers—but it’s not about what’s right or wrong. It’s simply about my style, what I prefer, and how I choose to present my photography.

Casey's Beach - NSW Long exposure Editing - Adobe Lightroom Classic Cropping and Brightening

A Little History: Editing Isn’t New

Photo editing has always been part of photography. It didn’t magically appear with digital cameras or Photoshop.

• As early as the 1820s, photographers were experimenting with altering images using hands-on darkroom techniques.

• The first known example of photo retouching is believed to be from 1846, by Calvert Richard Jones.

So let’s be clear: photo editing existed long before computers did. It began in the darkroom era of the 1800s, when photographers physically manipulated negatives and prints.

Fast‑forward to the 1980s, and digital editing arrived. Adobe Photoshop changed the game, and editing tools have only become more powerful since.

So Why Am I Writing This?

Because I often get asked what software I use and how I edit my photos. And the honest answer is: I keep it simple.

My Editing Philosophy: Keep It Real

Here’s what I do:

• Brightness & exposure tweaks

• Cropping for composition

• Colour adjustments

• Dust spot removal

That’s it.

I don’t replace skies, I don’t add fake elements, and I don’t heavily transform an image into something it wasn’t. I want my photos to reflect the moment I captured, not a version I created later on a screen.

I’ve always admired Ken Duncan, and I remember reading his thoughts about editing: if you set up your shot correctly in the field and wait for the right light, you won’t need to spend endless hours fixing things later. That idea has always stuck with me.

Where Does the Skill Truly Come From?

Here’s how I see it:

If you drastically alter a photo into something that wasn’t there, where is the photography skill in that? Sure, you might have amazing editing skills, and I genuinely respect that because editing is an art form of its own. But for me, photography is about capturing a moment in time, something real that becomes part of history.

I’d rather be out in the field, experiencing that moment myself, and hearing the stories and connections my customers have with each location. That emotional piece means more to me than any amount of digital manipulation.

Your Style Is Your Choice

There’s no “right” way to create art. Technology has opened up incredible possibilities, and everyone has the freedom to explore whichever creative direction suits them.

But for me? I choose to keep it real. AI-generated imaging and heavily manipulated composites just aren’t my style—and they never will be.

Want to Learn More?

If you’d like to know more about my style, have any questions, or want some tips of your own, please get in touch—I’m always happy to chat about photography