Photo Processing vs. Photo Finishing

We often get asked this question… what is the difference between photo processing and photo finishing?

Is there a difference?  Are they the same thing?

I suppose as with most questions the answer is typically "it depends".  That said, if you think about the differentiating words here - processing vs. finishing - the former certainly indicates that you are more "in the process" whereas the latter indicates you are towards the end of the process.

When I think of photo processing I tend to think of all activities between taking the pictures and having a final product - whether that final product is a digital image, print, etc.  To me, this includes review the image files, sorting and organizing into groups, creating proofs, selecting which files we’ll move forward with, editing and re-touching the files, resizing and preparing them for printing or final delivery.

Photo finishing (aka photofinishing) instead makes me think of the latter part… just the final editing and then the entire printing process through to perhaps framing, mounting and/or printing in album.

What is your opinion?