Egidio‘s challenge this week is all about rejected photos. A bad photo can sometimes be “rescued” and made more presentable. Take a look again at a few of your ”rejected” photos and see what you can do to bring them out of the archives.
Honestly, I find it difficult to throw away most ”bad” photos, but I try… I just have too many photos. From our trip to Poland, I have chosen four photos, and let’s see what I did with them.
This fish had a wonderful pattern and the surrounding structures were great – the colours were striking. And when it emerged from of its cave, the contrasts looked great. I clicked, but at home I didn’t recognize the picture in my head. Shooting through glass is almost never a hit, and this glass was not very clean either…
I removed the shadow fish with AI, reduced the blur and hightened the contrast. It didn’t get absolutely clear, but still – here it looks more like I remember it.
I love the jungle, and I have created some of my own at home. I think you know I always visit the botanical garden and the palm house wherever I go, and Poznan was no exception. However, there were spotlights and strong light in some places, so I was not happy with the water in this picture. I photograph in RAW, but didn’t really manage to make this one presentable.
I started with cropping on top, and then using AI again – to take away parts of the water and the blue, disturbing net. I think it turned out quite OK in the end, even if I would have wanted the whole picture.
They had a marvellous cafe’ in the midst of the greenery. That is the way I want my home to look! I am not there yet, but on my way… Reviewing these pictures at home, I found the colour of the chairs took away some of the feeling because of their bright hue.
I cropped the picture on the left, muted the colours and let the lady shine. This reduced some of the busyness and enhanced the jungle cosiness and harmony.
My last choice is a big elkhorn fern, from the same palm house. I have always found them fascinating, and once owned a plant for many years. Unfortunately it outgrowed the room and I had to leave it.
This one seems a big dark blob though, because of the angle of the shot, should I keep it?
Well, my first love for this plant was all about its structure and the hint of ancient dinosaurs…So, I focused on structure and the unique form, left the green for monochrome and my old fascination. I think I still love this plant!
My sincere thanks to Egidio who challenged us to show some of the work it takes to create an image we’re willing to share. Be sure to visit his original here, and to use the Lens-Artist tag in your response to help us find you.
Many, many thanks to those who responded to last week’s B&W/Minimalism challenge hosted by the eminent Ritva. It was an amazing display of the power of simplicity. Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week when Tina will be our host from her beautiful Travels and Trifles. Until then, please stay safe, hope you managed the snow storm ok, and may life be good to you this week.
Leya 
marvellous set of edits, my favourites are the first and second
Thank you, Sue – !
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Sue – I forgot zoom…having a severe cold and staying in bed to get well before we go. Take care. Try Sunday.😘
Oh my goodness, you don’t need that before you go away. Take care and hope you feel better before you go and speak Sunday if you are around.🥰🥰
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Ann-Christine, I really like your opening photo, and it is amazing the detail you pulled out of the last image. It’s a testament to the power of black-and-white. conversions.
Thanks, John! Happy you approved!
Ann-Christine, you worked wonders on these photos with your editing. I really like how your fish turned out but I love the fern converted to black and white.
Thank you – I had quite fun doing this after first not knowing what to do! I didn’t think I had anything to show.
Subtle changes that made all the difference. I particularly like the cafe, so much more inviting, although it already looked awesome. And the last one, too, Ann-Christine, now that is salvaging!
Thank you so much, Sofia! I was happy to find something to work with for this! Both subtle and more.
You’ve shown that not only are you a wonderful photographer Ann-Christine, you also have an eye for telling a story in a single image, a rare talent! Also loved your conversion to B&W for the last image.
Thank you , Tina – from thinking I didn’t have much to show til the latest trip where I had left pictures undone!
You did a great job showing us you saw, in these edits, as you demonstrated in your editing is that you don’t have to do that much to get great results. Loved the cafe- it is like a painting. And the jungle.. crop and contrast are key things. ♥️
Thank you, Ritva – I am so glad I hadn’t fixed those last ones before!
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I remember that cafe, Ann-Christine! Well done with the edits xx
Nice place, isn’t it! Thanks!
It is! xx
Too late to rescue any of my bloopers, they get deleted immediately. But, having seen your post, maybe I won’t be quite so hasty.
I usually don’t have that much patience – unless I really loved that situation! This time I am glad I tried.
These are fantastic Ann-Christine, I love that last one especially.
Thanks, me too! Love that plant…maybe I should buy one again!
Ann-Christine, what great results you achieved to get the photos to look the way you had envisioned them. The garden became cozier, the fish filled the frame, you eliminated the blown highlights, and you brought out the beautiful textures in the last image. Well done!
Thank you, Egidio! An interesting challenge!
You did a great job with these – I love the fish
Mmm thanks, I was so glad I could rescue it and remember the colours!
The fish photo is definitely an upgrade! I’m with you on wanting to keep more on top in the jungle photo, still the elimination of stuff that detracts is amazing. Guess I need to dabble in a little AI!
Thanks, Lindy. I am not very fond of AI, but the Lightroom version makes it easier!
From one who appreciates photography without having the personal know-how – A-C > you truly are teaching me. I had no idea so much could be done > am learning! ________________________________