I would definately say the latter. I honestlywas watching the video thinking that the only way to do anything to make photo's "artistic" was by layering. Granted, I have only been trying to figure all this out in the last few days, and I am a very impatient person when it comes to picking up new skills. This all seems so complicated. But I REALLY enjoy taking the actual pictures. I would like to make them look as good as they can, but I do not want to create something that isnt wat it was when I took the photo (if that makes ANY sense)...
I am looking at all of the suggestions everyone has offered here. I appreciate it, and any other tips y'all may have to offer a beginner.
I just watched a GIMP video on youtube. I've got a headache! As a PS CS3 for Mac user, I'm astounded at how clunky it is.
If you're having problems with the idea of layers, you may not be ready for the next steps in photo editing. Maybe it's time to think about your photography philosophy?
Some people put a heavy emphasis on layers because that style of editing is suited for the end product that they want. As a photographer who personally believes that photography should be about recreating life, and to an extent a visual truth, layers aren't as valuable. So I would think about what the end product that you, as an artist, want - do you want heavily stylized photographs with lots of editing, or do you want to take the images that you've taken and tweak the color, cropping, etc to enhance what you've already taken?
Both tracks are equally valuable but they produce very different results. It's up to you.