Musings of a Frequent Flying Scientist

One Photo Focus 1

Edited by Me.
Edited by Me.

Stacy from Visual Venturing is hosting the ABFriday: One Photo Focus, a photo editing challenge. Editing is something that I don’t have much experience with, so I thought this would be a good way for me to learn. Please click through the link above, the submissions are truly fantastic, it’s an amazing group of talented people. Thank you to Stacy for organising this, I know it was a lot of work!

Here is the original photo by Emilio Pasquale of Photos by Emilio

Original - Photos by Emilio.
Original – Photos by Emilio.

And my edit:

Edited by Me.
Edited by Me.

Some basic notes on the editing that I did in LightRoom – increased exposure, contrast and clarity. Decreased highlights to bring out the detail in the sky.

Here are another two edits that I did:

Monochrome.
Washout.

My editing is quite undramatic compared with the other submissions, I have a lot to learn! I hope you enjoy looking through the photos in this challenge. It certainly is a challenge for me, I have limited experience, but I’m working on it 😉

How about you? If you’ve just started experimenting with editing packages, what has your experience been?

x desleyjane

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Comments

56 responses to “One Photo Focus 1”

  1. Britta Avatar
    Britta

    I love your edits, especially the first one! Generally speaking, I prefer less dramatic editing in photography, though, which is a personal preference I guess. Your first edit really brings out the rich colors in the image…It’s quite stunning!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you Britta. I’m so glad you like them 😊 Did you see the dramatic edits on the challenge site?

      Like

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      1. Britta Avatar
        Britta

        I did take a look at the edits on the challenge site. Lots of cool edits, that’s for sure. I definitely connected more with the simpler edits because I tend to like when an edit brings out the already existing beauty in an image rather than completely altering it as some did; it was still fun to see the dramatic edits though! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  2. roamingpursuits Avatar
    roamingpursuits

    Nicely done on the edited image; it looks more eye-catching.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks so much!

      Like

      Reply
  3. lensaddiction Avatar
    lensaddiction

    I know how you feel on the learning things, I started a course on PS about a month ago and its incredibly intense but really fun. So I know how brave it was for you to submit – I remember getting LR2 for the first time and sitting down in front of it being baffled by all the options. So then I bought Scott Kelby’s book and was away laughing.

    I think you did a great job, your process is a vast improvement on the original file, and as you say its about your personal experimentation and learning, rather than going all out there for the sake of it 🙂

    Hi from CHCH, NZ Btw 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Hi! Thanks so much, I feel better 😊
      LR has been great for organising and tweaking my photos but yes, I have a ways to go. I have thought about getting PS as well and doing a course. I will check out the book. Thanks again – NZ, one of my favourite places!!

      Like

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      1. lensaddiction Avatar
        lensaddiction

        LR5 is vastly improved from the earlier versions, there is so much more you can do with it and the radial tool is amazing – there is an australian photographer Mitchell K something unpronounceble from EyeVisions – I purchased his Post Processing video course and it rocked my world 🙂 much better than books but books are also helpful.

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Ok cool, thank you!

          Like

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  4. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
    LifestyleswithLia

    Your edits are all great! The black and white one is super as are the others with the bolder color… And the shot itself with the cars tells a story… Why are they parked there? Where was this taken? Lots of inquiry all from this one photo!:))

    Like

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks Lia – they are such cool cars, aren’t they? I really like Emilio’s photo. I’m glad you like the edits, they were fun to do, and also challenging to think about what styles to go with. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
        LifestyleswithLia

        Yes I agree that with editing, I find it challenging in a good way because you never know if you are really done editing or else if there is just one more click and something else amazing will pop up! I do enjoy digital/iPhone photography even though at times I miss the old film and not knowing what a photo would look like until developed!!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          It’s a totally different way, isn’t it? I remember waiting for a week to get photos developed! I want to try film again actually and experiment with a dark room!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
            LifestyleswithLia

            Indeed I remember opening up the mailbox and seeing the photo envelope inside! What excitement! Hope you can get to experiment with a dark room! Wow cool!
            Have a lovely weekend!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. desleyjane Avatar
              desleyjane

              You too Lia!

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  5. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
    LifestyleswithLia

    The Washout effect is very cool too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Ben Rowe Aperturef64 Avatar
    Ben Rowe Aperturef64

    I really like the final image and the way you have made the image pop. The wash out though is my prefred edit as it leaves the strength of the yellow creates more focus on the truck itself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you Ben, I quite like that one as well, I wasn’t sure if it was just me ☺️

      Like

      Reply
  7. eclecticoddsnsods Avatar
    eclecticoddsnsods

    I think these are fab you shouldnt doubt your talents xx i like the brighter one and pop of colour one best. Im currently trialling corel having sort of trialled lughtroom and so far really enjoying it x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you x.
      How is Corel compared with LR?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. eclecticoddsnsods Avatar
        eclecticoddsnsods

        It is pretty complex, I am taking the tutorials. it obviously doesn’t have the filing system, but that’s fine with me as it was doing my head in but i know you have that pretty sorted. As far as editing, apparently due to the reviews, it isnt that different to photoshop etc, not being an expert and new to this I cannot tell yes or not, but i do know I like the userface so far, having fun and not losing pics or them flying all over my computer in to random places lol. Just edited my cat with Corel, first pic up using Corel x

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Oh cool, I will take a look, I didn’t realise you have a cat as well as dear Teddy.
          I have bought LR, and I like it, so will stick with it, but am tempted to add Photoshop Elements or something similar. But I really would like to do a LR course, a face-to-face classroom-style course! I get distracted when I do the online tutorials plus I like having people to compare things with and chat to while learning. A bit old-fashioned, but I can’t help it!!! 😃

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. eclecticoddsnsods Avatar
            eclecticoddsnsods

            ah yes two cats hehe. Dear little teddy had his companion, but alas he is no more. But now he has a girlfriend right? I must show my sons that pic of your adorable one hehe x

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. desleyjane Avatar
              desleyjane

              Oh yes! See what they think of him having a girlfriend, will they find the whole concept gross? Eeewwww – girls!

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. eclecticoddsnsods Avatar
                eclecticoddsnsods

                haha, he will get over it, I am still waiting for Teddy to pose, every time i go over to him though he has this habit of rolling on his back and all we get is the upside down smile lol

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                1. desleyjane Avatar
                  desleyjane

                  I love the upside down smile!!! X

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
                  1. eclecticoddsnsods Avatar
                    eclecticoddsnsods

                    hah yes me too he looks like the joker cept more pretty of course x

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply
                    1. desleyjane Avatar
                      desleyjane

                      LOL exactly!!

                      Liked by 1 person

  8. Mara Eastern Avatar
    Mara Eastern

    Oh! You changed your blog theme!! And it looks gorgeous, girl! Very nice job, seriously. I love the pink and grey combination, it’s so elegant yet so feminine.

    And the car photos are just stunning. I love the pop of yellow in the last edit, I’m a huge fan of partial colour and bleaching and desaturation and such…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Oooo thank you!!! You’re the first to see it. I’n actually checking old posts at the moment to make sure they load ok. I like it too, wanted something a little more photo-based.
      Thanks SO much for noticing x.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mara Eastern Avatar
        Mara Eastern

        I often read new posts in my WordPress Reader, and I think many bloggers do too, so sometimes I don’t actually go over to your blog — but I’m glad I did this time to see and appreciate your work well done! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Cheers babe! Me too, I’m almost exclusively in the Reader on my iPad, or sometimes iPhone.
          I’m nearly done…..

          Like

          Reply
          1. Mara Eastern Avatar
            Mara Eastern

            It’s silly though to miss out on people’s blogs’ design: sure, you can read the posts in the Reader, but often, as in your case here, the way the blog looks provides for an even better experience! You actually motivated me now to take the extra step from the Reader more often 😉

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. desleyjane Avatar
              desleyjane

              Good one 🙂
              I’m inspired to do the same!

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  9. Cardinal Guzman Avatar
    Cardinal Guzman

    I think you did a good job and I loved seeing all the different results. A fun challenge to take part in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks Cardinal.

      Like

      Reply
  10. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    They turned out great. I use picmonkey and it does a lot of good edits! Nice work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks Terri (oops, auto correct set you to Terrible!!).
      I’ve heard a lot about PicMonkey, I might have to try it!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar
        Terri Webster Schrandt

        Both Terrible and Terrific work for me LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Excellent 😀

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  11. commonplace blogger Avatar
    commonplace blogger

    love, Love, LOVE your theme choice! I’m not a fan of conventional white text on black background — too stark of a contrast. But this really works. It’s lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Ooooo thank you!! Yes me too, I thought the grey and subtle pink was more soothing. Plus I love pink, so that helps 😉

      Like

      Reply
  12. Sam Rappaz Avatar
    Sam Rappaz

    I really liked your edits. I barely edit editing – I don’t even own a proper software for it (maybe that’s why? :P) I am also rather new to photography as a hobby. I like pictures are they turn out with as little tweaking as possible. I guess people who are really good at editing make it look natural 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Ooo, that’s a nice way to look at it 😄 Thanks Sam!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sam Rappaz Avatar
        Sam Rappaz

        I just reread that comment. Your was one of the first blogs I responded to after I woke up from a long night out. *wincing* so many errors! Coffee first, blog later from now on!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          Haha! Always coffee first! Or during actually…
          Step1 – unplug phone from charger.
          Step2 – roll out of bed.
          Step3 – make coffee (especially good if you can do this with your eyes closed)
          Step4 – first sip of coffee (aaaahhhhhhhhhh)
          Step5 – begin blog reading
          😄

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Sam Rappaz Avatar
            Sam Rappaz

            Haha! Yes, ma’am. I will do that from now on. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  13. Loretta Avatar
    Loretta

    Wow, what a difference edits make. I like the contrast in both those pictures. Do some of these editing packages cost money? I just use my iPhoto that came with my mac computer, but I do see some elaborate edit packages that folks use.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thanks Loretta! Yes, I use Lightroom. Which you have to pay for, but iPhoto can do quite a lot as well. I started using LR when I got my Olympus. It’s editing software but it also organises all my photos (over 22,000 of them) so that I can find them easily.
      There are lots of free editing softwares, but also some cool ones on the iPhone – CameraPro is my favourite but there are heaps of others.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Loretta Avatar
        Loretta

        I don’t have an iPhone, my cell is a pretty antiquated one :). iPhoto is not bad, but I would like to be able to label some of my recipes on the picture itself. I don’t think there is any “free” software for that is there? 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. desleyjane Avatar
          desleyjane

          I found this article for you, but I will take a look at what else is out there tomorrow.

          How to Add Text to Photos Easily Using Preview in Mac OS X


          Night!

          Liked by 1 person

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          1. Loretta Avatar
            Loretta

            Oh gosh, you’re such a dear Desley, You’re going to be my go-to person on photography from now on. Thanks a ton, nighty night 🙂

            Like

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  14. Stacy P. Fischer Avatar
    Stacy P. Fischer

    Hey, Desley! Nope, you’re not a beginner – each of your post-processed images is wonderful! My favorite though is the the one you chose submit. I like the saturated colors – the whole photo just pops. And, by the way, lovely new blog 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in with One Photo Focus!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you Stacy!
      And thanks for visiting my new theme. Looking forward to the next OPF!! X

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar
    Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    My favorite is the Washout version, it really looks beautiful. All of your edits are wonderful, nothing wrong in being undramatic.

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    Reply
    1. desleyjane Avatar
      desleyjane

      Thank you so much. That one is probably my favourite as well, just between you and me 😉

      Liked by 1 person

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I’d love to hear from you!