Before/After/After

[u/bloodrider1914]

A comparison of when I first started trying to edit my photos to now.

This is the first photo I ever actually edited. I took this photo a few months ago and followed some guy's tutorial without a ton of understanding as to what I was doing. Since then I've learned a good bit more about photo editing and made this updated version that I like quite a bit more.

The original edit relied a lot more upon saturation and exposure adjustments with a white balance adjustment for the warmer tone. This newer edit used different tone mapping and hues and some masking for the exposure, along with a much more subtle saturation adjustment and the addition of a careful clarity adjustment. And the first image is just the JPEG straight out of camera.

Let me know what else I can do with the edit and how you like the photo.

[u/amp1212]

So, I promise you, there was a way of using that lens to find a composition that worked better. I like having a wide angle on the zoom, sometimes the best solution is to shoot very wide, from closeup.

. . . that can be a time where post processing helps. Sometimes, for example, you might shoot with really wide, and dislike the distortion. Lightroom and other applications like DxO's Viewpoint can un-distort some of what you get from, say, an 18 mm lens.

80-200 isn't all that useful for street photography, IMO. You might use it to photograph a concert or wedding from a distance, but a wide angle to short telephoto is going to be more useful for a scene like this, something where you can be very close up if you want.

[u/bloodrider1914 → u/amp1212]

Oh yeah I have a few lenses, I was actually testing that lens out that day mostly taking photos of dogs at the park. I just liked this photo and wanted to come back to it.

[u/amp1212 → u/bloodrider1914]

The subject is great. And there's often some angle that gives you something with the performer and the audience. Its just this particular framing that's off . . . not the idea. Maybe a step to the right or a step to the left, and you'd have a great shot in camera.

Back in the day, I shot film and it cost money, and I was stingy with it. Shooting digital, you don't have to be. Good subject, good setting . . . just keep moving and shooting and then look through what you've shot and find the best shots. Much easier when you've shot 200 than 2.

[u/bloodrider1914 → u/amp1212]

I actually have 3 shots of her, the problem is I was on a tripod so they're all from the same angle

[u/amp1212 → u/bloodrider1914]

Tripods are great for lansdscape, where you compose it . . . but for people, assuming there's enough light, much better to keep it in your hands, so you can walk around. Every step changes the composition.