HELP!! Is it easier to work with a "Soft" photo or a "Right" photo

I have been told in a digital camera forum, that if your digital camera takes "soft" photos, it is easier to make them sharper and intensify color in CS 2 than it would be to "Soften" a photo that comes out of the camera sharp, with adequate contrast and color, essentially as it looked to the naked eye.

This does not make sense to me. It would seem that if the camera takes a photo that looks exactly like the scene, it should be easier to soften it up, than to make it sharper if the original is soft. I am looking for the expert opinions offered here as to which is actually the better way to go.
Opinions and reasons please?

Thanks
Ray
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"Capt Ray" wrote in message

I have been told in a digital camera forum, that if your digital camera takes "soft" photos, it is easier to make them sharper and intensify color in CS 2 than it would be to "Soften" a photo that comes out of the camera sharp, with adequate contrast and color, essentially as it looked to the naked eye.

This does not make sense to me. It would seem that if the camera takes a photo that looks exactly like the scene, it should be easier to soften it up, than to make it sharper if the original is soft. I am looking for the expert opinions offered here as to which is actually the better way to go.
Opinions and reasons please?

Thanks
Ray
Please remove "nospam" for email response & thanks

Ray,

It is better to let the camera do as little manipulation (white balance, compression etc.,) as possible (how does it know what were trying to "say" when you shot the picture) and for that reason ( if possible) always shoot in RAW format.
As to your question, I think it is better to shoot the scene as is and soften it up in PS. Sharpening in PS is merely increasing edge contrast and the results can be a bit hit and miss depending on subject. I would prefer to blur (soften) a sharp image than sharpen a "soft" image. I’ve seen a few of so called incamera "soft" images at club exhibitions…..for soft read camera shake. 😉

MH

Mike,
Thank you very much…your reponse makes complete sense. I had read what I wrote in a photo forum. They were making an argument that it was good tha tthe new Nikon D200 takes "soft" photos since you can sharpen them in PS. My feeling was that I would prefer an accurate rather than "soft" rendition and I could then sharpen, unsharpen or adjust color as I felt I needed or do nothing at all if the photo was acceptable.
Ray