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I’m a sucker! When I saw what other people were doing with Lightroom I wanted to play too. So I downloaded the free trial, and started to fiddle. Here are the results of my first few sessions: one (the rock face) is actually practical. The patterns that were in deep shadow can be seen more clearly as they go from horizontal to vertical. The others are just to see what’s possible. I’d welcome feedback.
snippetsandsnaps 
Tarnation! No time to play 😦 But you know me, Meg. I’m a bit of a stick in the mud. 🙂 The only one I’m drawn to is the pink, and then I had to go back and forwards muttering to myself because the original is so lovely. My favourite is the original of the butterfly though. Happy weekend!
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I thought your preferences might have been more those of a Scorpio! Thanks for taking time to pop in.
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I’m a bit like Gilly in that I mostly prefer the natural look, though even that often needs tweaking, let’s face it unless we are shooting in RAW the camera is making its own judgement as to colour/light/contrast. Like you though I sometimes get the urge to play with software, though I wasn’t too struck on Lightroom when I tried it a few years ago. My new camera has so many built-in effects I may never have to use software to play again! I think of photography in two distinct forms – the natural (albeit more than likely edited) and the deliberately edited art form. Where one stops and the other begins may be a matter of opinion 🙂
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That’s how I think about it too. I’m very conscious that what I was doing in this post was playing, as I was in your post-processing month. The distinction I’d make would be between the documentary and the fiddled-with – same distinction you make, I think.
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What fun you have had Meg and I think you are going to be hooked. I was, after using the free trial I decided I couldn’t do without it. I have Photoshop Elements 5 (now almost a dinosaur) but I still found it useful. Now I hardly ever use it. The photo that really impressed me the most was the last one of the leaf in front of the wire screen. The original was quite wishy washy (technical term!!!?) but the after just popped and had a 3d effect. Did you use the clarity button on it. It looks very natural too and not at all “manipulated”.
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I suspect I used every button on everything! It was the first day. Maybe I’ll become more discriminating. I can’t imagine you using, or needing to use, a manipulative program. Your photos are all splendidly natural, with wonderful Australian light.
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I have borrowed an excellent book from the library “Lightroom 5 book for digital photographers” Scott Kelby. ( cost about $70 to buy!) Also lots of tutorials on YouTube. I like the fact that it can bring out details in the shadows in a natural way. I think it is a magic programme.
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I’ve been doing the tutorials, but I’m still a bit of a dinosaur. I’d rather a book, so I can refer back. Thank you again.
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Yes I prefer to go step by step through the book, then look at the tutorials and done together they make more sense to me.
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I love to play with photos and have Photoshop 7 and elements. I never install any cameras own software and I could be missing out as a result. I do like the effects i can get on my tablet with Pixlr and Snapseed, so I sometimes email pics across to use them. Overall, unless I’m trying to get something arty, I prefer to keep things looking fairly natural. Having said that I like your plant photo and the butterfly is stunning. I wouldn’t pay £100 for lightroom even if could afford t!
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My iPad has an antique operating system that won’t download Snapseed or Pixlr. I’m just beginning to economise, so my first thought of course, after new power points, a tree removal (I know, but it thrived too much in my small front yard), new seat covers, etc etc etc is a new iPad! So who knows: maybe Lightroom. I ended up thinking the same as you – most of what I fiddled with was satisfying in the original – although I might just go off and see what I can do with this photo!!!
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I don’t know about these. I still prefer things with au naturel colour, or almost so. But you had fun and on the plus side enhancements can bring out contrasts. It all depends on your aims. I admit to enhancing contrast by shadowing when editing with Picasa.
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I think I might have predicted your response! Maybe I’d argue that the original in some cases may not be in fact au naturel, as we acknowledge by utilising contrast in Picasa – me too! Since I can’t draw at all, I was rather taken by the results in the slideshow. I don’t think I’ll be subscribing to / buying Lightroom, but I needed to get it out of my system.
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Love the extreme! It works! These are great Meg, really good. That first image is like a napping dragon. Brilliant!
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I’m glad you approve. After all, you’re largely responsible.
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😎😎😎
They are awesome edits.
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Nice results. You certainly enhanced all your photos. The pink water scene was a bit obvious, but interesting. I think the butterfly one is the most successful. I’m not at this stage yet. A dinosaur with technology, but in love with photography. Cheers to you for trying something new.
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Thanks Olga. I can’t resist going extreme, which is why the pink. Trying something new? Frustrating! I spent two days trying to export my photos from Lightroom, before I thought of submitting to a tutorial. Maybe I’ve forgotten how to learn. New stuff certainly punctures arrogance!
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Ha ha! Just a learning curve.
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