April 7, 2024 • 56

LAPC #294: Before and After

John is hosting a great challenge this week. He’s inviting us to show how we process several photos in his Before and After challenge. My workflow is always evolving. Up to now, I’ve been exploring the capabilities of Photoshop and Nik filters. But after this challenge and John’s inspiration, I expect I’ll move on to Lightroom and several new filters.

I’m focusing on 3 images captured in the last few months. I’ll start with a relatively simple edit and then go on to more challenging ones.

Berlin Cityscape: The Original

I love when I look through my archives and I spot an image that has potential like this one captured in Berlin.

After bringing it into Photoshop, I straightened it, adjusted the contrast and brightness, and then applied a Nik Silver Effex filter.

Berlin Cityscape: The Final Image

The filter changed the image dramatically. The black and white highlighted the interplay of light and shadow. It also created sense of drama and mystery. I love this final image.

The Córdoba Grand Mosque Cathedral: The Original

This original image was captured in the Grand Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba. I was drawn to the arches overhead and the view through the exit archway. But in low light, the colors were subdued, dull. The people in the foreground were hardly distinguishable.

In the edits, I wanted to draw attention to the red and beige striped arches, the intricate stonework, and the bas reliefs. I also wanted to bring out some detail in the crowd in the foreground.

The Córdoba Grand Mosque Cathedral: Two Final Edits

I’ve chosen to show you 2 different edits. The first one in color was pretty straightforward. I intensified the contrast, increased the brightness, and applied the Color Efex filter called “Clarity Bump.” I used the burn tool to bring out the details in the mural outside the cathedral.

The second one was slightly different. I took the color image and applied the Nik Silver Efex filter. Then I selected the Fuji Neopan 100 film filter to bring out the details in the bas-relief, arches, and the stonework inside and outside the cathedral. I’m not sure which one I prefer. What’s your choice? I’d love to know.

The Piazza at Dusk–The Original

Now this was the most challenging edit. I had a long list of things I wanted to change in this photo, captured in the Piazza della Republicca in Florence last week.

  1. Straighten and crop the image.
  2. Eliminate the person’s leg and foot on the far right.
  3. Tone down or eliminate some of the glare from the bright lights in the background.
  4. Heighten the contrast in the evening sky.
  5. Increase sharpness/clarity of the image.

The Piazza at Dusk–The 2nd Edit

Here’s my first edit in Photoshop.

  1. I straightened and cropped the image.
  2. I used the lasso tool and the generate tool to eliminate the person’s leg and foot on the far right.

The Piazza at Dusk–The Final Edit

In this final edit,

  1. I toned down and/or eliminated some of the glare from the bright lights using the spot healing tool.
  2. I used Photoshop slider bars to increase sharpness/clarity of the image.
  3. Then I chose the HDR filter within Color Efex to heighten the contrast in the sky. The default level of saturation is always too high, so I adjusted that so the colors and details in the image were realistic.

As I’ve gotten more proficient in Photoshop, my editing list has gotten longer! This is definitely a good thing, because a sloppy edit or incomplete edit really detracts from the impact of the image. My son has also been giving me tips on mentally dividing an image into sections and going over them carefully. I’m also assessing on a more regular basis, whether the image works better in color or black and white. It’s been a great way to evaluate the “power” and importance of color in an image.

A special thanks to John for his fascinating and instructive Before and After challenge this week. We hope you join us. Be sure to stop by his site and see his workflow for processing images. I’m sure you’ll be tempted to try some of his photo editing applications. Luminar Neo is now on my list. Thanks, John!

Last week, Sophia treated us to her Water in Motion challenge, which unleashed a “torrent” of images. Wow! Bravo to everyone who participated. Looking ahead to next week, it’s Donna’s turn to lead us for LAPC #295, so be sure to visit her wonderful Wind Kisses site next Saturday at noon ET to be inspired.

In the meantime, stay healthy, stay curious and be inspired!

You can find more information here about the Lens-Artists Challenge if you want to join the fun.

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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56 replies »

  3. Wow, Patti! I absolutely loved your first and third images. Your edits gave them more impact. Regarding the Mosque, I liked the color version better. The colors are so deep and vibrant. They don’t show that in the monochrome version. Great post!

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    • Hi Anne. Many thanks for you kind words on the first and third! As for the color version of the mosque. I think you’re right. The colors are vibrant and really add to the shot. I really appreciate your feedback. It always helps! I hope you’re feeling better.

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  4. And this is why this particular person (me) knows she is a snapshot-ist and not a photographer. All the originals look great to her, she didn’t notice the offending leg and foot, and any time anyone tries to enthuse to her abut the capabilities of Photoshop et al, her eyes glaze over and she wonders what she might cook for supper. Or something. This is not to denigrate the edited photos at all – they look great. But it seems to be increasingly the case that editing is becoming almost an obligation. Ooops, I’m ranting. Truly, this is a great post, and your thought processes are really interesting.

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    • What a great comment, Margaret! You had me grinning from ear to ear! I really think we are “into” photography for different reasons and there are as many reasons as photographers. That’s part of the fun. Yes, it’s true that editing is more common, but I don’t think it’s an obligation. It goes back to the question of why we photograph and who we are photographing for–friends, family, a photo club, etc. I’m getting more and more interested in photography as an art, but that’s me. It’s not everyone! And by the way, what are you cooking for dinner? 😊😊 

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      • Haha! Nothing tonight as we went out for a rather large lunch, so it was simple bread and cheese and salad. But I did bake the bread. Does that count? I’m now interested enough in photography to have joined a club, and have been placed several times in the internal club photo competitions, and once in a public vote, so I’m keeping my head above water. I’ve learnt a lot from the Lens Artists Challenge and the fantastic team that enables, encourages and mentors it, as well as fellow participants: thank you!

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      • Yes, baking the bread counts! That’s my kind of dinner. Simple and delicious. Fantastic about joining the club and being placed in competitions! That’s great news. And I’m so appreciative of your kind words about our team. That means a lot.

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      • It’s great. You all – and participants too – have such a great eye and excellent skills. Yet you generously share, and make positive comments to all of us, whatever our level of experience. So glad to have found you all!

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  5. Great examples, Patti! I tend to prefer black-and-white, and your edit of the opening image is a perfect example of why I am a big fan.

    The piazza edits really show the power of digital editing tools. You’ve brought out the details that enhance the image without overpowering it. AI tools that help to eliminate distractions like your example leg and foot make editing easier. In an earlier generation editor, you would likely have removed the distraction with the clone tool. It’s nice that process can now be automated.

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    • Hi John. I appreciate your thoughts on this one. Yes, it’s true about the clone stamp and in fact I still use it! Glad you like the Berlin shot in black and white. I was so pleased with the result. And thanks for a great challenge this week. I enjoyed it.

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  6. I want to say I love them all, and I do, but considering the challenge I looked a little closer. I appreciated your explanations about what you saw and what you planned to do. I noticed the most significant changes in the Córdoba images. I do like the B & W, and yet was impressed by the change in contrast and color in the second edit. Definitely more mystery with the Berlin photo, along with more enhanced detail. Florence?…I just wish I was there. lol.

    Like you, I am going to begin looking at Lightroom. There seems to be a lot of freedom with it. And great advice from your son. Sometimes the tiniest tips are the most beneficial. Very nice Patti

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    • Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful comments, Donna! They’re always so helpful. I think the color version of Cordoba is winning! It’s my favorite, too. But I also love the black and white…😊😊 It’s true about the tiniest tips. He has a great critical eye (sometimes his critique hurts!!) but it’s important to listen to him!

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  8. The Mesquita is stunning in real life and I think it’s a challenge in itself to make it look that good in a photograph, Patti. I’ve umm’d and err’d a lot, and finally come down on colour, but I do love the black and white. And I love the crispness of the first edited image.

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    • Hi Jo. The Mesquita is stunning. It’s so hard to capture, so I settled for a small “piece” of it. I feel the same way about the color version, but I love the b & w, too! Thanks for your kind words about the Berlin image. That was a happy “rescue” from my archives! I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine. 😊

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  9. Well done Patti! I loved the first image and your edits really improved on the original. Also loved the second but to me there is no question – that one demands color! Finally the improvements in the third are more subtle and most viewers wouldn’t notice the differences so good on your for seeking perfection! You chose 3 wonderful images!

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    • Hi Tina. Thanks! I fiddled around with my choices, and decided on these 3 with Rich’s input! I’m learning as I go…in terms of PS, but I’m going to keep experimenting with other filters/apps. It’s a learning process, isn’t it? So much to learn! But I can see the improvements in the final image. It’s really about training your artistic eye, isn’t it? Hoping you have some great photo opportunities this week!

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  10. Great edits, Patti. I found your elimination of that person’s leg/foot interesting because that’s exactly what I’d do. Amateur photographers like me sometimes miss those tiny retouches that make all the difference as your eye moves around the composition.
    Love your final result(s).

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    • So we think alike…in terms of that stray foot/leg! It just makes the image less messy, I think…without stray body parts all over the place! Glad you enjoyed the edits. Many thanks.

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  14. I enjoyed reading about your editing thoughts and processes for each of these images. I really like the transformation the B&W made to your first shot. For the Cordoba one, although both versions work, I think I would choose the colour over the B&W. And I especially like your tip to think of the photo in sections 🙂

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    • Hi Sarah. I’m delighted you enjoyed them and my descriptions. I agree with you on the color version for Cordoba, b & W for Berlin. Glad you like my son’s tip. It’s really helpful. I hope all’s well.

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  15. Thank you for your detailed description of how you changed each of the images. They all improved with your “fine tuning”! At first I liked the color edit image of the Cordoba Cathedral, then I went back and forth, and now I prefer the Silver Efex image more!

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  18. I love your to-do list, Patti. So much more organised than I am 🙂

    First one is stunning, it was begging for a crisp black&white. Córdoba, I think I’m going against the majority, but I prefer the monochrome… 🙂

    Give Lightroom a go, if you’re looking for intuitive editing. And it’s always fun (at least for me!)

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    • Hi Sofia. Many thanks for your kind words about the Berlin shot. Cordoba…yes, it’s a very different photo in b & w, but I like it too. And I will give Lightroom a go. Thanks for the encouragement!

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    • Hi Sofia. Many thanks for your thoughts on Cordoba and Berlin. (I think I’m more organized on paper than I am in real life!) I am giving Lightroom a go. Thanks for your encouragement. Have a great weekend, too.

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  19. Great choices and great input about your thinking and processing. Also great tip from your son – I will think about that! I always love B&W, but this time, Cordoba in colour is preferred. But the first one is perfect in B&W. Love all your final results, Patti, you are really a perfectionist!

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  20. Love these! And I love reading other people’s process. Berlin holds a very special place in my heart, since I lived there for a while when I was doing some research for my Master’s and then stayed on for a while longer, so any picture that captures the non-touristy side of Berlin will always warm my heart Do you remember where this was? I especially like it because it captures an essential part of Berlin that could be part of the present day setting or a century ago.

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    • Hi Tales! I really appreciate your thoughts on the Berlin image. I was delighted that I saw that person from the upper floor of the Willy Brandt Museum (I believe that’s the name!). Thanks so much for your thoughtful and insightful comment.

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