Digicams are designed to get the color to pop. They are designed for no post production. However if you learn to use the camera software for tweaks, or something like Picasa3. Your pictures will pop more.
Post production is now a significant part of a good photo. You might just adjust the contrast, or the adjust the light levels, but you can also change other items. Typically, I adjust the contrast and brightness to crisp up the picture. If I'm still not happy with the image, I may play with the color or vary the fill and shadows. Here's the original shot before post production. This picture was taken by our Art Photography Director while riding in the car.
Syracuse has a number of older buldings with these painted billboards. I hope to capture a number of them this spring. Sadly they are fading and being torn down or painted over with a single color.
