I tend to take a camera with me everywhere I go, even if it is just my iPhone, because while I think you can come back to a place and photograph it many times, I also think that it will not ever be exactly the same. While I was out running the other day, I saw this spiderweb and decided that if I did stop right then, I would never get this photo:
ISO 25 4.15 f2.2 1/900
While you could make the argument that I will never be a better runner if I’m always stopping to look around, you’re right! I wouldn’t disagree. But I also know that one of the reasons I run is to be present in the here and now, and that includes looking at my surroundings.
Now, before you get to thinking that I am some purist about photography, have a look at the actual original unedited photo:
ISO 25 4.15 f2.2 1/900
Can you tell I am sorry that summer is over? Sorry enough that I edited in some warmth. In this case I used split-toning and added a copper tone to the shadows. I also cropped and sharpened the image. I’ve added a graduated filter, in this case from top to bottom, and a vignette to darken the corners. While I did the cropping and sharpening in Photoshop, I did the other edits in Lightroom. I felt that the graduated filter was an important edit, that’s what brought a bit of texture and interest to the sky.
I was happy the graduated filter worked in part because I had used it recently when editing another photo and ended up removing the edit because it worked so poorly in that case. As a result of that edit gone wrong, I had a bit of a discussion with another blogger about the use of that filter. I think with editing tools, sometimes you just have to try the edit and see if it works. The results can be interesting, if not always what you wanted. That’s what your digital trash can is for I think. It was another blogger named Amy that I was talking with, and I’m including a link to a recent post of hers that I enjoyed. A version of this photo is available on Picfair.
What do you think of my edits? do you liked the warmed up version, or do you think I should just face facts and stick with the original? Do you sometimes have conversations with other people that influence what you are doing in your own work? Feel free to comment below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
Wow, this is a jewel! What a capture, Amy.
Thank you so much for taking time to explaining the graduated filter. I haven’t used it much at all. Thank you for the link, I’m honored. 🙂
Have a great week!
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Thanks Amy 🙂
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Warmed version works for me, nice shot
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Thank you.
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Beautiful find! 🙂
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Thanks, I think it was the beautiful curves in the plant and the web that caught my eye.
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Especially with the way it’s glimmering right 🙂
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I personally prefer the original image, it feels a lot more atmospheric and has a lot of beauty within it. I am always grateful how nature presents itself and do very little editing (mostly with beach photographs when I edit out other people on the beach as I respect their privacy). You need to go with what feels right for you. We all have our own way of expressing ourselves creatively and it would be a dull world if we all did the same! :o)
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Certainly it would be dull if we all did the same thing. I agree that nature left to its own devices is very beautiful.
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I definitely like the warmer version. I have the tendency to make every photo warmer.
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I have that tendency too.
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I really like your edits: all the more because I enjoyed reading about your thought processes. I think it’s slightly disingenuous to suggest that in-edited images are somehow more pure or more correct. The very process of framing a photo is editing. What is left out, and how the shot is framed are as much editorial as any colour filters or sharpening tools. I guess it comes down to why we take and share photos. If it’s to communicate — with others or across time. — then why not use all the tools at our disposal to enhance that communication.
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That’s a very good point, that even in framing the shot, it is an edit. I think also that photography is often about communication. It is amazing to me too, how many tools we have at our disposal to tell our stories.
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Su – I enjoyed reading your reply – never thought about it this way – but the editing does start when we first click – so much to chew on in this comment – (and Amy hope you don’t mind me chiming in)
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🙂
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I like your edits, not too over-the-top to be believable. The way the web was made on the grass stalk makes it look like sort of like a badminton racquet!
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Thank you. I thought of a dream catcher when I first saw it, with all those curves.
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I like both photographs. Each one has its own story, its own mood as it were. The original feels mistier, and the amazing shape with water drops pops out more, more focused, in contrast to its surroundings. I like the way you explore different renditions of a subject and share your process. I learn a lot from this. After all, how many versions of hay stacks, waterlilies and Charing Cross bridge are out there? And each one is amazing!
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I also like looking at different versions of the same subject and see how different artists approached it. It is interesting to me how we can all be looking at the same thing but see different things.
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I think the editing is fantastic Amy! I’m with you on the stopping to take in the surroundings and gather photos. It makes exercise much more reasonable I find. 🙂
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Thanks! I do need a break from just running sometimes 🙂
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I enjoyed both photographs. Thank you for sharing the way you do. Web’s are one of my favorite. I saw a dream catcher as well. Very inspirational!!!
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Thank you for your kind comment.
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The edited version is definitely an improvement. It’s a lovely photo. I couldn’t figure out what ISO you’ve used though. 25?
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Yes, this photo, taken with my iPhone on auto settings used an ISO of 25. Thanks for your visit and comment 🙂
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Hi Amy – I like your warmed up version – and how cool that you paused your run for a shot like this –
I have learned that I tend to “never” get back for a photo when I think I will – so I try and pause and “make” it Happen-
For example – at the wedding last weekend – behind a bush someone had dumped a bouquet of flowers – and I made my spouse wait so I could get the shot – then we walked a corridor (large church) and I told him I wanted to get a photo of something in the hall – but then i said I would get some shots on the way out – well….
That never happened – we left from another door! So I am grateful I grabbed the photo when I did.
I almost wonder if “taking the shot on the spot” is more about efficiency too. Like about 15 years ago I learned to write and send thank you cards right away – (don’t say you will come back with it if you can give it right then) and learned to trash junk mail immediately before it could pile –
Ok – just one more tidbit:
– I had to laugh imaging someone jogging with a big ol’ camera – long lens and tripod strapped to the back – lol – I know I u said it was iPhone – but that image came to my mind (of you jogging with all the gear) and gave me a chuckle! 😂😅😠
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I would be super fit if I ran with all my gear though, maybe I should consider it 🙂
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haha – maybe…
and side note- after my son played lacrosse for a few years – he went back to soccer and had this amazing season – we figured out that it partly had to do with playing in the heavy lax gear – and then hitting the open soccer field with just cleats – hm
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I love pictures of spiders web with drops on it, it’s so eye-catching. I think the edit is just superb
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Thanks very much!
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Of course they are both great photos. I like the original chill, though. The trees seem less prominent, more distant to me.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment. The original is definitely more in keeping with the reality of the morning.
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The ingenuity of that spider! It’s like a butterfly net. Thanks for spotting it so we could see it too…on your warm – and cool – morning run.
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Yes, it was a good place for him to set up shop.
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A terrific catch PJB, good for you for stopping to capture it. I’m a fan of post-processing to work toward reality and think you did an excellent job with this one.
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Thanks very much Tina!
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I love the edit version of the photo. The warm tint gives it a definite feeling of summer. As for you question about editing or not, I believe there is not one answer. It really depends on what the photo is. Are we talking documentary then hardly any editing should be done. If it’s more of an artistic expression, anything goes. 🙂
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Thank you very much. I do tend to add warmth in, I think it is because I am always cold 🙂
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Great editing, Amy. I haven’t used split toning yet. But it really adds depth and color to the shot. Like you, I’m sad to see the warmth of the summer evaporate. 😦
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Yes, I’ve just been basically messing with the sliders. At some point I’ll do a bit more digging to understand the concept a bit more fully.
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I like your edits and the warm version. I am on a learning curve with photography so I enjoy seeing what you have done and how you did it. Thanks!
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Thank you for taking the time to read and for leaving such a nice comment.
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