first off I’d like to thank you for including my 2 images, and I’d like to say that regardless if people like post processed images or not, the advice given is very sound – I’ve learned many things the hard way

secondly: what difference does it make if it’s processed or not? what’s important is if you like what you see. the technical side should be a personal opinion and stated as such – don’t try to impose your point of view: ‘if it’s not “natural” is invalid’… what some people call ‘natural’ I call manufacturer’s taste or hardware limitations – if the camera gives me over or underexposed areas I’d like to fix the issues and stay as close as possible to the scene left in my mind when I shot it, or at least end up with a visually pleasing scene (pleasing for my taste – if others like my taste even better)

I take “minimal adjustments” (or “slight tweaking”) as a general expression that leaves the doors open to personal tastes and translates into “express yourself”, or “you be the judge of what’s appropriate for your particular image” – again: positive advice that doesn’t create any constrains

I’m not being defensive: personally I think that most of my images are barely acceptable. also, I have nothing to gain – all my shots are free, and it doesn’t affect me too much if people see them or not – my flickr pix are my journeys and memories – my personal album, and I chose to make it public; I just wanted to show purists that few things are pure, and to each his own

Lighting Journey

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanspellman/2790503389/