"Robert Geake" wrote in message
...

""""Does no one think that all the applications and 'mathematical filters'
you are all so keen to apply to your work dilutes the subject of your
images""""
- Why perform dark and flat frames and subsequent mathematical manipulation
for a cleaner image?

- There are techniques, such as deconvolution, unsharp masking, high and
low pass filtering and noise reduction that can improve the original image.
The police, for instance, use these techniques to improve on an image; for
forensic or other purposes. Bringing out more detail from an image doesn't
necessarily make the original image a bad one to begin with.

- Even with non-astro - conventional digital photography, thousands are
made from books which teach enhancement of digital photography and imaging.
Pop a search onto (say) www.amazon.co.uk for the results.

"""""I would not dream of using a filter in an image editing app to attempt
to improve any aspect of my pictures."""""
- Enhancement is not limited to digital imaging, unsharp masking was
originally used with film, does the application degrade or improve the
original print? Depends on what you're looking for. These processes
translate directly to the digital darkroom with ease.

""""I mean, i take lots of daytime pics with an old slr(on film) some are
good some are bad...The good ones are kept as are the bad ones, the
difference being, the good ones get looked at!""""
- Why apply polarising filters or GND filters to improve the effect of a
photograph; to affect or bring out detail? My guess here is that although
not entirely natural, the artificially filtered photo is the one that'll get
looked at. Ask the professional photographer if he'd forego a filter for
puritanical reasons.

""""Just seems to me that most of you will take a bad picture and instead of
notching it up as experience and taking another of the same subject, you
would rather spend more time than it would take to take another trying to
repair it!!!""""
- With Britain's generous offering of cloudy skies, there's often more
opportunity for a revisit to the digital darkroom than the dark sky. You may
have also missed the point on this particular post. The excercise was a
demonstration of one software package over the previous application of
others from a beginner's perspective. I've been at this for less than a
year. Perhaps there are others on the NG in my own position who'd value the
perspective?

""""Aside from the fact that i, as well as most know that certain filter
bring out detail that would otherwise be lost, but how far is too far?"""
- This is a good question (or point). There's always a temptation to
over-enhance an image. If you think any specific image has been overdone,
you're welcome to share your viewpoint. If the critisism is both considerate
and constructive its unlikely to be discounted. If a poster isn't prepared
to accept such critisism then they shouldn't be posting here anyways.

Regards


Chris