Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I love Photoshop!

Photoshop is truly amazing. I hear many people proudly say that their photos aren't "enhanced," inferring that anyone who alters their photos isn't as legitimate or real or whatever. That's bullshit (excuse my French). Do these people think that photographers who used darkrooms with all the chemicals and equipment years ago didn't alter photographs?? I think not. Now it's just a lot easier and more eco-friendly.

Take this photo of the Malecon by the Roca Mar.

Doesn't it look better without the power thing on top?

And here's one I took on Playa Norte which turned out kind of dull. Plus, it was so humid, I must have had a drop of water on my lens (next to the tree on the far left), and I don't like the stack of beach chairs on the right.

So, I cropped the picture, took out the beach chairs and popped the color a little. Muy better in my opinion. Mind you, I don't do this to all my photos...in fact, I do very little to most of them. I'm all for reality, but some of the ones that have potential definitely deserve a little "photoshopping"...especially if I want to print them or want to use them for something specific.

On another note, Photoshop can be a lot of fun. I just know a tip of the iceberg when it comes to what it can do, but I learn more every day. Paul sent me the picture below because he has a Border Collie who looks just like this, but he wanted to know if I could transpose the dog...

...into this photograph of the Black Hills...

When he asked me, I didn't know how to do it, but after some experimenting, I came up with this...

He had also been out to Big Sur the summer before, so I sent him this one, as well...

How fun! It's kind of amazing what you can do.

I've posted this picture before of this catalog...

I really like the "aged" look they gave this little building in Texas. This place is about 30 minutes from where I live and have taken several pictures of it myself. This is an untouched photo of what it actually looks like. (Obviously, Harley-Davidson decided to do a little Photoshopping for their catalog.)

Since I really like the effect that Harley-Davidson achieved, I thought I'd see if I could get it myself. After some experimentation, I came up with this...

Their sky is much better and I don't have any motorcycles in front on mine, but it's close. I happened to drive by this place a couple of weekends ago, and it's all closed up. You used to be able to go inside, but not any more. Driftwood is one of those "blink and you're through it" kind of towns in the middle of Texas.

On a final note, I have an orchid that's been blooming for the past month that is just so beautiful I had to give it a mention. Is it Photoshopped? Nah...it's the "real" thing.

5 comments:

Life's a Beach! said...

Amazing Deb! You've gotten really adept at it! If I send you my photo, can you shave about 20 years and 50 pounds off of me? HA!

Anonymous said...

Can you photochop a pic of you on the white harley with flames?:-))
carl/debbie

Isla Deb said...

Hahaha Beck! Between the "bandaid" and "clone stamp" tool, you can work wonders!

Carl/Debbie - I actually have a picture of me sitting on a Harley in a dealership...I should see if I could transpose it to the one in Austin. Haha...that would be fun!

Vee said...

Deb,I have used that exact analogy about the darkroom and Photoshop. I'm confounded by people who are proud that they don't enhance their photos in any way. I took a Photoshop class where the instructor, a professional photographer, said he always makes a few minor adjustments to his photos, particularly to the lighting. I usually do, too. You are indeed mastering the program and doing far more than I. Nice work!

Photoshop tutorials said...

After watching these photoshop tutorials I must say a single word "Awesome". Great work you have done.