Usually, I'm an advocate for editing your photos as it's very rare that a photo couldn't benefit from a bit of polishing. But once in a while, we all need to be reminded that it's best to use a light touch when editing. Ideally, you want to get as close to the final result, in-camera, as you possible can. A few tweaks here and there and you're done.
Of course there can be edits that require a little more, touch-ups, selections, etc... and here a light touch is best as well. Much of this is subjective and comes down to taste - but it's also a skill that improves with practice.
That's why, when the pros start to screw up (Annie Leibovitz - no less) it makes news. Last week's issue of Vanity Fair's cover photo (and some behind-the-scenes photos) apparently showed Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon with 3-hands and 3 legs, respectively.
So treat is as a reminder to use a deft touch when editing photos. Nobody wants to see how the sausages are made.
Feature Photograph of the Week - Up The Yangtze
Sailing on the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province.