Did you ever get excited to see the print of a photo only to be disappointed that it really wasn't like you had hoped?
I have found that some of the very best tools to give your photos pop or to eliminate distractions are by using post-processing software.
Some call this cheating. OK. It is! But I paid thousands and thousands of dollars of dues in my learning process during the days of film. So, I'll do whatever I want for my remaining days of photography.
Truth said ... in order to get what you want ... you need the best possible original. That means it is worth taking classes on how to shoot, FIRST! You may find that it would be very helpful for a class in post-processing software NEXT.
Some programs are fun, free and very easy to use. Some cost a bit of money but may be well worth a modest investment. Keep in mind, none of these programs are worth a dime if you buy them and leave them on the shelf. They take work to learn.
First, I recommend the free downloadable software from Irfanview. You can google this and learn this program pretty quickly.
Second, I recommend using Photoshop Elements, latest revision available (I have 6.0). I believe the 9.0 version is already out. Pros use programs like Photshop CS5. Don't buy the full version of CS5 or CS6 without planning on studying it thoroughly. This is powerful stuff that usually is recommended for related careers.
If you decide to purchase Photoshop Elements, I still recommend finding a class to get a teachers overview of the product. Check out your local community college evening classes. You are well worth the education and you will be able to do many things with your photos to clean them up for presentation.
Here are a couple examples of the before and after using photoshop elements. In order to see these examples clearly, it is probably best to click on them to enlarge, then right click and save them to a folder so that you can toggle between the before and after photos to see the examples of what was done.
The first photo is on the San Antonio Riverwalk. The subject is the Riverwalk with my wife and daughter on the bridge. I have removed dozens and dozens of major distractions by several methods. I have taken what was a busy day on the Riverwalk and turned it into a more intimate version.
The second photo is a vacation photo that my son-in-law took on and evening in Mexico. The subject is simply a sunset over a waterscape. He was battling a lens that kept fogging up with salt and moisture in the air. This takes the edge off any photo.
Original File 1
Altered File 1 using Photoshop Elements
Original File 2
Altered File 2 using Photoshop Elements
14 comments:
Great job editing! I use Elements 9, though I'm not yet as skilled as you are when it comes to cloning and healing. I try to tell my old-school photography friends that sometimes what you get on camera simply isn't true to what you saw when you took the photo. The exposure could be off, the color dull, etc. In those cases, editing simply restores your photo to what it should've been originally. Maybe sometimes we take it too far and "cheat" (I've added a moon before), but in today's industry it's nearly impossible to be successful without good editing software.
Nice work ;) First photo is so colorful ;D But i got one question ! What kind of lenses You use? Chromatic aberation are terrifying! ;/
Great pictures and great post information.
Thanks for that information. I like how you altered the photos.
Lukasz,
I have added a link to these often asked questions in the right hand bar just below the followers pictures.
NikonSniper Steve
Actually, Steve, I am learning a lot from you. Those are lovely photos of your wife and daughter. And also the scenic one below. Dare I say, that I actually like the original ones best! I have taken on board to observe what's going on in the background, although I don't always get it right:0) Your posts are all very special!
Ah, but the real question is, how long did it take to edit them? I suspect the river walk took a considerable amount of time. The sunset, less.
Great info. I'm still going to be using my Canon P&S until my fingers go or my mind goes but I do like software that allows me to "tweak" my photos! I use a very basic one called paint.net. I'm also just starting to learn about the Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 I recently purchased. As regards your two photo examples, the first one is fine the way it is if that's the mood you're trying to convey, however you wanted a more intimate photo, so your redo conveys that, two people alone in a beautiful setting. The second photo example was definitely enhanced by redoing it. You created a more intense photo...instead of it appearing muddy as it does in the before picture. Thanks for the continuing education suggestions...perhaps I'd go if they had one for point and shoot. One way or the other photo images have been manipulated since the beginning of photography...it's just a whole lot easier with software.
I'm with you 100%. Who cares about "cheating." It's only cheating if you're in a contest and the rules are that you can't use the editing software. The starting image is just that to me: a starting image. I still have it. It's not going anywhere. But I like to see what I can do with it.
There are several free websites where photographers share lots of information. Me-I spent 10 years taking care of computer labs running Photoshop. During that time I took many classes. I agree with OneBigHappy "cheating" only exists if there are rules in a contest. Otherwise the excellent picture is just the beginning. Besides I have enjoyed some of your adventures in the tool pallet where you swirl, twist, and change up your images. Enjoy your images however the mood strikes you.
Photoshop fixes all the worlds problems.
Great job on the editing. Really like the finished product. I'm like you, I brush out a lot of distractions in my photos. I never mess with one that I'm submitting to a contest, unless it's just minor tweaking of sharpness, contrast, etc.
If a painter can edit the scene for artistic reasons, I believe photographers can do the same. It is all about creating art, regardless of the discipline. Great post.
I'm sorry for my bad English, I blog and the feeling is calm, I felt the singular pleasure of your images to find happiness in small things in life. Congratulations you're a great artist.
Hug
http://manunatureza.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment