Winter is the perfect time to go back through and reprocess some of those older images. If you are anything like me your style will change over time, and you will learn new techniques that improve your results. I’m always amazed when I look back at some of my earlier work and realize how far I’ve come. While there is definitely some improvement on the shooting side (technically and some better equipment), most of the improvement is on the processing side.
My current workflow is 80% Adobe Lightroom, 14% Adobe Photoshop and 6% Nik Color Efex Pro 4. (These are highly scientific numbers by the way). I do use a few more plugins for noise reduction and sharpening. These finishing touches are very dependent on the image and so my main area of focus is in Lightroom, Photoshop and Color Efex.
Racing to the Bridge
Here is an image that I captured two years ago on a night that had me really excited. This sunset had all the makings of something special. So I jumped in the car with the whole family and raced to the Bridge. When we got there however a huge bank of clouds had covered the horizon and I was extremely disappointed. Luckily the family was content to sit in the car and listen to stories while I waited to see what would happen. Low and behold, the horizon cleared revealing this stunning red color. It was an incredible back drop to the illuminated bridge and cool blues of the clouds and water. Sometimes patience pays off!
Here is how I processed it two years ago. Quite a difference right?
I pushed it pretty far into the electric arena. It was a hit on social media, but my tastes have definitely changed considerably since then. Which one do you prefer?
Do you ever go back and reprocess any of your older work?
Join us in Charleston for our next adventure
Come explore the beauty of springtime in Charleston. This two day long Charleston Photography Workshop will take you to several spectacular locations in and around the low country. The spring flowers will be in full bloom and the weather will be just right for getting out to the beaches for those perfect sunrise shots.
