From behind the Lens...

As a self taught Photographer, I am studying and learning new things every day.

During my precious 1.5 hrs a day while J & B nap I watch You Tube video's on editing and Photography.

I am also still learning not to be hard on myself.

I learned that EVERY image before it is watermarked by any photographer is EDITED.

I am learning to Edit as all professional Photographers do.

Before I show you what I have learned, I thought I'd share some of my inspiration.

These are not my photos but some before and after  from other photographers.

Just to give you an idea of what can be done and how to do them.

Keep in mind that every after shot may not be your favorite.

Some may even like the before better.

Photography is ART and like all art it is subjective to the eye of the beholder.

Oh and before we move on you need to remember this: 

SOOC = Straight Out Of the Camera (meaning without edits)

SKY was another enemy that I had.

I couldn't figure out why after I set all my settings and got all my subjects clear that I was still getting blown out sky.  Meaning the sky was bright white.

Then after a little research.

I found out that most of the best sky photos are all photo shopped.

For Example:  

All of the following are all overlays of sky.

Meaning added in photo shop.

This one is my favorite.

The next two pictures are the same but with two different sky's to get two different looks.

Again the next two are the same pictures but with different sky's.

This one is a before and after.

Another Before and After

The next four are all just different sky's for different looks.

The next three are all SOOC and blown out sky's.

This is similar to what was happening to me.

My first attempt at adding a sky overlay.

SOOC 

First I added the sky

Then I had to match the lighting and the Depth of Field (blurry back ground)

AFTER

Before I get to my other edits here is a sneak peek to a behind the scene's of my "Studio".

I was getting ready for this Graduation photo shoot.

Studio shoots require a lot of editing. 

I knew that before I even started.

SOOC

I had to take out the wrinkles 

(even ironing before doesn't take all the wrinkles out and make it smooth enough).

In addition to the wrinkles, my studio is really for kids or two or three adults.

I don't have enough room to get far enough away to keep the edges of the back drop.

This shoot had 40 images.

Each one needed the wrinkles smoothed out and the edges of my back dropped added.

I also cleaned up the acne on the Graduates face.

This was probably my longest editing time yet.

AFTER

SOOC

AFTER

SOOC

AFTER

SOOC

(notice the acne)

AFTER

SOOC

(notice the right of the frame by Grandma's elbow)

Part of Photography is noticing distractions and removing then in editing if you can't while you are shooting.

Sometimes you don't have a choice or don't notice when taking the picture..

AFTER

(notice I took out the gutter pipe and stump to the right of the frame in photo shop)

SOOC

 (notice in the back ground you can see a recycling bin and a color flag)

AFTER

Wedding's are not my specialty, yet.

Right now it is just too much pressure.

This wedding was a favor to my wonderful neighbors.

Her Grand-Dad was getting married and they asked for a few pictures.

They weren't interested in a full wedding package just a few pictures to remember their special day.

It was a great day!

Everything was beautiful.

This Church had strict photography rules. 

No flash photography in the church at all.

In addition the photographer must remain in the back (behind the last row) of the church at all times during the ceremony.

The lighting in the church was very yellow (tungsten lights).

Without a flash you need to up your ISO and sometimes that with the lighting you get extra noise.

Wedding lighting is tricky.

Here are a few.

SOOC is to the right in these before and afters.

This one needed the light removed next to his head.

SOOC

AFTER

This is the SOOC

AFTER

SOOC

AFTER

SOOC

AFTER

This is probably one of my favorite shots.

SOOC

(notice the bright ugly blue and purple bags) 

AFTER

(I enhanced both subjests eyes and took out the ugly bags, recreated the wall)

SOOC

AFTER

(subtle lighting and color pop in photo shop-just a little)

SOOC

(notice the distracting tree to the left)

AFTER

(took out the tree and enhanced the color and added white edge vignetting)

SOOC

EDITED color and texture in photo shop

Then in light room I created this affect, which is my new favorite.

SOOC

EDIT enhanced color, contrast, and texture.

*notice the yellow lines.

AFTER

(took out the yellow lines on the road.)

Next up newborns.

COMPOSITE'S:

Did you ever wonder how photographers got those cute baby pictures?

They are all composites.

What is a composite?

It is when you take two or three pictures and make one.

I can't wait to have a couple newborns to practice all I have learned.

Here are a few to get the idea.

PS I have a hammock and a new branch that Grampy made me.

BABYS

I have been meaning to post about what I have learned for a while.

That's all for now... I've got more to learn... From behind the lens..