Photographic Peeve

This is a tiny little rant. If you have better things to be doing, please go off and be busy with them. Is it just us, now? Good. And I'm certain none of you are guilty of this, you couldn't possibly be. In the very small likelihood that you are, (you know if you are, don't you?) don't go off and sulk. Either continue the behavior in the full knowledge that you are annoying me and derive glee from it or pay attention and change. Now I'll get on with it. The miracle of digital photography enables us to snap many, many takes in order to capture the best possible photo. Freed from the guilt of wasted film and the expense of processing before we can see the images we can snap away! Now that you have ten shots of pretty much the same thing, it is important to employ some discretion. Rather than post every single one of these pics on Facebook or your blog or in emails, we now shall consider the concept known as photo editing. In this hypothetical group of ten, first throw out the four that are blurry or where one subject blocks another, leaving six. From the remaining six, toss out the three where eyes are closed, or one person in the group is scratching private parts, or perhaps has an unfortunate or unflattering expression on their face. Save these for future humiliation opportunities, otherwise known as family gatherings, particularly where the person in question has brought a new significant other for the first time. Now you have three options left which are probably very similar to each other. Choose the one, and only one, that is the best of the three to share. Make this choice based on framing, focus, lighting or other qualities you find pleasing. Please note that I'm only scratching the surface here, I'm not expecting you to crop or remove that red-eyed demonic stare from anyone's eyes, which by the way, can be eliminated up front by using the flash option that is labeled red eye reduction. Trust me, I do enjoy the pictures of your grandchild/pet/moment of glory/loved one/vacation. It simply becomes tedious to view what by rights ought to be out-takes. Rant complete!