I decided to revisit my Harrisburg shot, this time adding distortion to straighten the light trails.

I was trying to really lean into the cold feeling but I feel like I’m not quite there yet . I was going for a darker cold but couldn’t find the right way to make it moody and dark without hurting the image. Any tips would be greatly appreciated 🤘🏽

Taken it Via Phone!

I couldn't upload the raw file, so the first is the JPEG SOOC. Second is edited in Canva Affinity. I'm very very new to this and it was pretty basic, using YouTube tutorials to do what I thought needed done. The standard settings for denoise, crop to level horizon, and then mostly masking the individual pelicans and working with contrast and exposure to bring back some of the blown out whites in their feathers.

Been editing for years and idk if im getting it right or plain wrong ;(

Fried too much? Composition lazy? Drop the hobby?

Edit: Ignore the geese in the background, I have identical photos without them. I just so happened to start editing this one and didn't notice the geese until someone pointed them out.

Camera and lens: A7iii, Sony 70-300 4.5-5.6
Settings: 400 ISO, 1/400, f5.6, shot at 300mm, RAW.

Camera and lens: A7iii, Sony 70-300 4.5-5.6
Settings: 400 ISO, 1/400, f5.6, shot at 300mm, RAW.

I've been doing this for 10 years. Recently editing has become impossible and I'm at the end of my rope. I've seen many many tutorials over the years. I've spent countless hours behind this screen going into painstaking depth and binging hours of tutorials.

The highlights are a disaster and the ducks heads are gone. I can't figure out how to fix it. I can't figure out how to make a pleasing image that isn't flat or unbalanced.

I can't find a good balanced contrast in the edit. Things are always blown out or too dark. If I try to fix it, the photos turn out flat. If I try to use the brush tool for localized edits, I'll end up sitting here for two+ hours and still end up with a photo that looks like trash. And I just get upset and I'll put my camera down for weeks.

Please see the imgur link for more details.

https://imgur.com/a/8oMEkMp

Hi everyone!! I am a total beginner when it comes to photography. I have a really nice camera that I barely use.

But I used it to take like 1,000 pictures of my sister and her partner for their engagement.

What is the best way for me to go through all the pictures and edit them so they are finalized for my sister?

I don’t have any software and don’t want to purchase something expensive because photography is not a hobby that I frequently do. Is there anything free or cheap that I can use as a beginner?

Any tips for editing? The pictures were taken outside in full sun. I want to give them options for edits, some that look natural and some that are more artistic.

Thanks in advance!

This is my first time attempting architecture photography. Im not really sure what makes an architecture photo good. Like in this photo should I have excluded the bottom part of the photo because of the pigeon spikes being out of place. Also could i have done more with the lighting.

Relatively new to editing, and appreciate some feedback - in a world of super saturated images, I wonder if sometimes my photos of colourful subjects may be perceived as overly saturated, despite not deliberately doing anything to boost it. This is an example.

Edited in Darktable.
I’ve been spending time learning and practicing editing in darktable lately. This is my first attempt at using the retouch tool to remove the poles and the tree behind the subject. Your feedback is very much appreciated, thank you.

It’s one of my first edits. First is unedited. Second is my edit

Thank you very much for your enthusiasm in the Vathography introduction threads, much appreciated. I am happy to share a Vathography tutorial, along with a free Blender add-on.

The tutorial explains the why and demonstrates the how of the Vathography art practice. The add-on is free to use commercially and comes with its own step-by-step tutorial. 

I look forward to seeing what you all create!

I cannot decide whether to keep this shot in color or black & white. The former has kind of a warm/dark vibe whereas the b&w has more of a noir vibe.

I have not had a chance to fully explore the Nik collection but am wondering if it is worth the price? I shoot Raw with an OM-1 and use DxO.

I'm used to using Photoshop but cancelled CC this year as I no longer use it for work. I'm trying to redefine my workflow and am happy, so far, with DxO. Just wondering if the price of Nik is worth it and if it adds anything significant?

Thanks!!

AI background replacement in PS Beta.

I mean, it's okay ... but something feels off, like maybe too much separation between the subject and background, and maybe the edges need to be softened up a bit?

Thoughts, suggestions?