When it comes to photo editing, sometimes you have to be careful. While I do mean that you have to take care with your work, I also am talking about your time. Once you have started working on an image, when is it finished? That is something that I find myself thinking about a lot. I spent sometime outside this week taking advantage of the beautiful weather, and looking for nice outdoor images. When I came across this scene I thought it would look nice with some editing:
ISO 800 70mm 0ev f/5.6 1/1000
When I got to the editing process even though the first thing that struck me was that the image would need straightened, that was actually close to my last step.
I had bracketed this image because of the shadows, with the thought that I would make an HDR version in Photomatix. In this case I made a color and black and white image. Then in Photoshop I combined the two images using the the color version as the base layer and masking in the black and white where I wanted it. Then I cropped the image and sharpened it:
ISO 800 70mm 0ev f/5.6 1/1000
Combining color and black and white is not something I do a whole lot of but I have fun with occasionally. A few days later, I was doing some research on a graphic design project and I came across this article on using the apply image function in Photoshop. While it didn’t help what I was working on at that moment, it did make me think again about trying that as a basis for editing the scene I had been working on earlier in the week. So I gave it a try:
ISO 800 70mm 0ev f/5.6 1/1000
As the tutorial I linked to suggests, the apply image feature actually has a lot to offer once you start exploring the dialogue box that opens up. This version above ended up being the my favorite of the edited versions, so far that is…
What do you think, is there a version that you prefer? Do you find yourself getting lost in the process of photo editing? It can be both fabulous and maddening, don’t you think? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
I like the one in the deep dark shadows best. No reason. 🙂
LikeLike
No reason needed 🙂 Thanks!
LikeLike
Beautiful image. Love the edits. 🙂 I like your take on!
LikeLike
Thanks you, I thought it was a nice spot.
LikeLike
For some reason–I like the second version although the first one is an eye catcher also
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
I really like the last edit, Amy. Take care, and have a great weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you very much 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When is it finished? Glad to hear you ask that question. I have often ‘finished ‘ editing only to noticed something that, I am certain, a casual viewer would not notice. I love you process and will try them soon.
LikeLike
I agree with you, I often am still “working” on things that others would just look at and be like “why? it’s fine” I found the apply image function to be quite powerful once I started thinking about all the various possibilities, so have fun!
LikeLike
I like the second photo best. But to each his own. Thanks for letting me know that I am not to only one that finds this satisfying and maddening.
LikeLike
Strength in numbers right? 🙂
LikeLike
My favorite is the second photo. It’s a comforting, colorful photo and I’d love to be relaxing on that porch. 😉 Where I find that I’m spending too much time editing is with my writing. But I’m usually happier after I’ve fine-tuned my work. I’m sure you feel your time also is well spent after you’ve seen the final product.
LikeLike
I agree, overall I would not change the amount of time I spend editing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s creative play. Great fun! 😉
LikeLike
Agreed 🙂
LikeLike
I agree, last night I was doing just yhat “Work”, but a casual viewer would not see anything when I upload the photos 🙂
LikeLike
Which, in some ways, is a sign of work well done! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought all of them were great shots. I like the second one best – sort of a fairytale feel about it that I like 🙂 There are so many ways we can edit a photo, and that’s what makes post-processing fun. Sometimes when I’m editing photos for my blog, in my mind I see how I want the photos to look like and the vibe I want to achieve. But it can be so hard getting there 😀
LikeLike
I agree, if you have an end point in mind and can’t quite get there, that can be frustrating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer the first one.. and the second one. A mix of these would be the winner in my world. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the second one, but all the photos are beautiful. Good job 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
It’s the second one for me Amy. I am addicted to saturation of colour. No good reason it just appeals to me. 🙂
LikeLike
No reason needed, I’m always curious about which versions people prefer 🙂
LikeLike
I’m kind of with Sue in liking the second version Amy – I’m not as committed as you are although I do sometimes enjoy playing with an image to see what kind of art results!
LikeLike
Thanks, yes, looking through your blog, it’s easy to see you are more of the “get the image you want straight out of the camera” type of person, which honestly, is my preference usually as well.
LikeLike
Oooo – nice space to have a cup of tea in!
And I enjoyed hearing about your thinking and working with this cool shot.
LikeLike
Yes, it is just a lovely spot!
LikeLiked by 1 person