Exploring Photoshop

I love taking photographs and will be the first to admit that I am not that creative or talented but I have managed to take a few pictures that Steve and I like.  In my blips I have always (until today) published pictures straight out of the camera.  With exception on filters from iPhone pictures but anything to improve the mobile phone pics doesn’t really count….I think.

For Christmas I received a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements.  I do also have the book in the “for Dummies” series to help me with the software as I do expect it to be a bit tricky.

I used it for the first time today to do some basic editing and I was so surprised at the  difference the software can do to an image.  Below is a picture I took when walking along by the Grand Union Canal last week before New Year.  Initially you can see that the water in the image is quite dull and greyish.  The shadow of the tree is also just lacking in colour.

Pram in Canal – original

By using some of the simple controls to fix the image in photoshop in colour, lighting and balance the water is richer and you can see the green in the reflection of the trees on the water surface.  I wasn’t applying any intelligence but have just started to play around and so far I think I like what I can see and also how much more able I feel to be able to affect the images with more than the camera settings, or hoping it is a sunny day when I’m out snapping.

Pram in Canal – Photoshopped

I am excited about trying to learn more and produce really interesting and fun images.  Wish me luck!