Post-processing photographs

[Berna]

After three years of photographing, I've found the courage to try my luck in some more serious post-processing (layers, masking, etc). I spent more than two hours on 5 (!) photographs and I am fairly happy with the result.

The first image in the row is the original (out of camera). You will notice these are either underexposed (it was getting dark and I forgot to change the camera settings) or I ended up with "burned" (overexposed) spots on the background. The second image is after some corrections in camera raw (yes, always shoot in raw if possible, not in jpeg - it gives you more options for corrections). And the last one is some "photoshopping". Using masks, I did some colour corrections, added more light to parts of the image, saturation, selective sharpening etc. It also helped me remove some items from the background (see picture row no. 4) which were ugly, unnecessary and drew the focus from the subjects).

So, here they are: 1. original 2. camera raw and 3. photoshop

[barry581]

It's amazing what you can do with digital photos!!! Great pics. Love the one with the leaf on Cookies head!! Love the Bernese Mountain dog too!!!!!

[Berna]

Indeed! Photoshop gives you so many possibilities, and I don't even know 20% of them!

[Maxx&Emma]

That is really interesting to see the changes! I just love the BMD, what a noble creature!

[POPTOP]

I feel lucky if I get the image I'm aiming at. The rest, still am not good at.

Is there an easy web site that a picture can be uploaded on where I can practice?

Love what you've done. No matter what, Cookie always looks awesome.

[Berna]

I feel lucky if I get the image I'm aiming at. The rest, still am not good at.

Is there an easy web site that a picture can be uploaded on where I can practice?

Love what you've done. No matter what, Cookie always looks awesome.

Thank you!

Do you mean something like online photo editors? I guess there are, but I doubt they give you the options that Photoshop does. On the other hand, it depends on what you need. Sometimes you can get a decent photo straight out of camera, with some minor fixes. Or you can use a program that automatically edits photos the way you want them, using filters, like Instagram. Some people are happy with that (but I aim much higher, lol ).

[emma_Dad]

I love photoshop and light room! You can pretty much do anything on them.

BTW: Great pics!

[sarah]

That's awesome, what a transformation. I'm inspired to go through my pictures and try to fix them up! Now if I only had some extra time....

[voodoo]

nice...after you build up your confidence try some of these photoshop plugins. i love them.

Photography Software from Topaz Labs

[4Thelove]

wow- good job, great subject, love the dogs!