Simply Subtle

AFTER

BEFORE

I feel it is important for the Awake The Light blog to show Before and After versions of images when basic optimization has helped make an ordinary image more appealing. Before reading further, take a minute to look at each version and make a list of the modifications you see. Once you have done that, I will walk you through what was done and why.

As most regular blog readers already know, my preferred software to optimize images is Lightroom. Most of the time, the optimization techniques are used to make the final image look as it did when I tripped the shutter. Sometimes I will go a bit further in order to create a more artistic effect.

Digital camera sensors do not always record a subject as accurately as we would like. It is the nature of the sensor to reduce contrast and often to diminish the intensity of the colors. That is why optimization is helpful on all images. Yup, all images all the time.

So, have you completed your list? If so, read on.

The following modifications were made to this image:
WHITES SLIDER was moved slightly to the right in order to increase the brightness of the whites.
CLARITY was decreased to minus 30 in order to soften the entire image a bit.
VIBRANCE was increased to +95. It was only then that I remembered that this water lily had lavender tones in the petals, and not just white, because it had been awhile since I had shot the image.
HSL Yellow Saturation slider increased to +80 to deepen the yellow center.
HSL Blue Saturation slider increased to +30 to boost the lavender tone.
NOISE REDUCTION Luminance slider was moved to 30 to reduce the appearance of noise.

So a total of 6 easy steps took an OK image to a higher level. The final image has more color, and more depth. What is your opinion? Was it worth the 5 minutes to create the After image, or do you prefer the Before image? There is no right or wrong answer. As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I value your opinion and would like to hear from you. Please comment either on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Awake-The-Light/123508281034128   or email me at awakethelight@charter.net 

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/400 sec.  Aperture f/8.  ISO 400.  Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS, set to 150mm.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection."  --Kim Collins