Every time I work up an image for a client, I find I am going back into its depths and re-evaluating the processing I have already done on it. Depending on how long it has been since I prepared a particular image for print (or perhaps not even at all), I may have found a new tool or way of doing things that would make a particular shot better than before. More often than not I think the changes are quite subtle, but I still view it as “better.”
On many of my earlier landscapes, I never knew about luminosity masking. Most of the time it improves on what was done before with basic curves or levels adjustments. Over the past year, I found the plugins Topaz Detail and Topaz Adjust that sometimes take the image in directions I had never considered. Each new skill or tool that I adopt has the potential of evolving an earlier image to something different at minimum, or an entirely new look at the other extreme. Sometimes it is simply my own internal vision that has moved along a different path. There always seems to be data within a file we may have never known was there.
So I suppose all of the images in my archive could be considered in a state of flux. It is only a matter of time when the next image comes due for its next evolutionary stage.
This landscape photograph was captured using a Nikon D2X and Nikon 12-24 f4 lens at ISO 200 at Five Mile Point, a coastal sandstone area on the southern shores of Lake Superior. I just recently reprocessed it for a 36×48 inch print intended for a client using luminosity masks and Topaz Detail. The plugin particularly helped bring out more of the texture of the sandstone. (Hard to tell in a small JPEG, but quite obvious when viewing a 36×48 print size at 50%)
Mark, definitely the description of a photographers evolutionary process. Some of my earlier photos I’ve revised but a few I’ll probably leave as markers along the trail. It’s nice looking back and seeing prof there’s been progress. 🙂
I sometimes feel redundant commenting on how beautiful a photo you’ve posted is — such as this one. The simple fact is I sincerely like the vast majority of your work and it’s evident you personally set the bar high — kudos!
That’s another good way to look at it Earl – the markers of growth!
And thank you very much, I do appreciate the feedback!
I’m so far behind the graphic program curve I haven’t ever even used Photoshop yet. It’s kind of strange, considering I’m also a certified computer network admin & internet systems specialist…
I hear you Mark! I find myself wanting to rework every photo that pre-dates my use of luminosity masks.
What a gorgeous scene!
I know what you mean about revisiting images. Sometimes I will have a shot that I KNOW has something special, but just can not get it to look the way I want it. I’ll file it away and many moons later, on a rainy day, I’ll revisit it armed with newer techniques and fresh eyes… it can make a world of difference!
Agreed, and thank you Amber.
What you describe is why it is so important to hang onto as many images as possible, even the ones you can’t see the value in today. As you change and the technology changes, there’s no end to the possibilities you can tease out of your archives.
Some of my more popular images lay dormant for years waiting for me to learn how to make them sing!
I tend to agree Bob. While some advocate culling ruthlessly, I find there are some hidden potentials that I only discover later on.
You speak the truth as always Mark. Creative people are always evaluating and changing as they themselves change. Whether the work you create is really better or just fits better with your vision, I think it’s both good for the artist and the clients.
Hey mark, my mistake I misunderstood when reading, quickly read it and saw the jpeg remark and thought there was a problem wih quaility blowing it up. My Bad 🙂
You jpeg guys are so sensitive. 😉
Lovely image, Mark! Where is Five Mile Point?
I’ve found the same thing about reworking my masters, especially for large prints – sharpening halos or noise I never noticed on a 12×18 print looked terrible on a 30×45 print. Sometimes I enjoy just revisiting photos I worked on in the past to see if I can make better images out of them now.
I’m a big fan of the Topaz products, too!
– Jack
Thanks Jack. It is just west of Munising in the Upper Peninsula.
Beautiful photo, Mark. I’ve been seeing lots of mentions of Topaz tools, but have not investigated them as I do very little post processing outside of Lightroom. I guess that’s what I get for spending my entire day on a computer at work. In the evening, the computer is more of a diversion than a work tool; however, you’ve piqued my interest. I might have to have a look, at least read about it.
Thanks Paul. As with all of these “tools” – it depends on the images. I have gone into the plugins on a few images and didn’t care for what it did. Others, just the opposite. I am on a computer all day as well, just find it a bit different experience working in Photoshop and Lightroom I guess.
Good post and nice image, Mark. Learning is whole life process. Isn’t it great that there are still new technologies and processes bringing another and more possibilities to improve our photographs or treat them in ways we never thought of? On the other hand sometimes when I learn something knew I say to myself “Oh Geez, I wish I had known this a year ago! It would improve all the photos I published since then so much!” 🙂
Thank you Tomas. Good points and I prove the same things over and over to myself when opening and working on older shots.
Hey Mark, just get the Genuine Fractel to fix that small file.
Hey Mike – ????? What small file? Actually this one went to over 1 GB, which is the subject of a future post.