Processing Blocks
Writers have writers blocks. I have processing blocks. Take this image I took recently… It’s a simple fall picture. I’ve been toying with Photoshop Curves and layered effects to create vintage-y and other “feels” for photos.
Here is the original picture:
Due to the harsh lighting from behind, I had to either step it down on the camera and lose some of the shallow depth or increase shutter speed and lose some of the luster. I chose option two, resulting in these dulled colors.
Of course then I go to “tweak” the picture in Photoshop. For me, the fun part of the whole photo process is the post-processing. I can play with the colors, curves, levels, contrast, and just have a little personal art party until I wind up with something I like.
Then I run into processing blocks. I come up with a version that’s almost perfect. Sort of. Something’s off. Since this is all subjective, I have no idea what exactly that “something” is.
Anyway, this is the result of several attempts to process this image. Just thought I’d share a little peek into my brain.
Version 1: 9:45 pm
The colors are warm now, and the picture gets back the luster I saw originally when photographing it… but it seems kinda one-tone right?… lets try again.
Version 2: 10:15pm
I’m getting a little frisky with the colors. The oranges are more intense… I’ve decided that I need a little color flair in this so I adjust the sky to be a seafoam color with more intense highlights. For some reason this reminds me of barbies.. so I don’t like it.
Version 3: 10:25pm
I throw all caution to the wind and make this a dark and contrast-y piece. Who cares about stupid fall colors right? This is art.
No wait, I care about the fall colors…back to the curves panel.
Version 4: 10:30pm
I finally settle on something that allows for a little color contrast but still allows the “fall” feeling through. It’s not jarring to the eyes and it has more than one dominant color.
Okay I’m satisfied.
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This happens with every photo I process. I’m thinking of saving off my photo’s ‘alternate personas’ too. Who knows, maybe there’s someone out there who’d appreciate my half baked finishes.
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