In August I did an image that was taken inside a hall. I didn’t mind the image at the time, but I think I always knew that I would redo it one day.
This is the processed image from the post called “Resting“. When I went up to the Mallee, this was probably one of my favourite images that I took when I was there. It was such a weird find to walk in and see this lounge suite just spread out in a haphazard way in front of the fireplace. I liked the way the light was coming in across the floor, but I was never happy with that window that you can see. I decided to try doing the image again.
You can see here that I have reworked the image. For the better? I don’t know. I decided to remove the window. I don’t know if it was the best decision, but I like how the focus is more on the lounge suit now as the window doesn’t take your eye away from it It took a lot of work to get rid of it and to try and make the lighting right.
I cropped it a little as well. I did some dodging on the mantle, and I may have gone too far, but I actually don’t mind it. I have added some blur, but I have tried to keep it to a minimum. I must say, I quite like this rework. The lighting was everything in this image, I believe.
Now, as I have this other software, I couldn’t resist using it for the rework as well.
I used Color Efex for this, I am quite attached to the preset/filter Classical Soft Focus, though I did add some more and tried to make it stronger. This filter is fast becoming my favourite. Though, I believe, as I use the software more I will start to like others as well.
This one has been done for the fans of Black and White. I processed this in Silver Efex. I used the preset High Structure (smooth) and made a few more adjustments.
So here the image has been reworked 3 times. My favourite is the first rework. I like the window being removed, I think it improved the image massively.
Awards
I have a few awards to acknowledge.
Hoof Beats and Foot Prints has nominated me for the The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you Bella, I am very grateful.
I have been nominated for the REALITY Blog Award by two other bloggers, Rose Colored Photos, and losflamingos, so please take a look at their blogs as well
http://rosecoloredphoto.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/r-e-a-l-i-t-y/
http://losflamingos.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/reality-blog-award/
I would like to say thank you to all three.
The picture has with out the window another kind of statement.. I think I liked it better with windows, without windows, it is very lonely.
I like the lonely feeling and I think that is what drew me to it. I found the window too distracting. But I can understand what you are saying as well.
I prefer the image without the window, I like the darkness of it. Prefer the second image in the post to the black and white though. Lovely.
Thank you glanceobservecapture, I like that about it as well. I think the second one works best as well.
i agree with susanne that it’s very lonely without windows, and dark. but maybe you’re fine with that? the window is disturbing, no wonder you wanted to get rid of it!
I am fine with that elin, it is sort of the look I was going for. The window is too blown out, and if I could darken it I would have done that, but it wouldn’t behave. Thanks
Amazing. Taking the window out dramatically changes the scene. How about the light still reflecting at the fair end sofa near the window that was removed? Great job.
I had to do a lot of work on the light, the light that was coming from that window. It was a lot harder to do than I thought it would be, but I think I have worked out some tricks. I am glad you like the change, thank you.
I prefer the window, but I’m impressed you can actually make it go away so convincingly.
A few have also, haha, I am amazed too, althought I think if you looked closely you would see lots of faults. Thank you.
Don’t ask why; fascinating picture!!!
Okay, and thank you.
Light dispelled….professionally shut out!
Thank you ecofinanalysis
I still love this picture, with and without the window.
I feel the same way Marie, it was nice to try it with out. I have some of it, taken from the other end, perhaps I should try processing those. Thanks
Color – for sue … too much is lost in black and white. Regarding the window – that’s tough. As always though … nice post. Nice image. Dave PS: Good job with those awards. Congratulations.
Thank you Dave, I think the thing about the window comes down to what you prefer as far as the feeling of the image, I like the loneliness of it. Thanks about the awards as well.
I agree – the window had to go. Good job taking it out!
Thank you Pat, nice to see some who agree.
Right decision – the window was ‘an eyesore’ – had to go. Now I like the image very much.
Glad you thought that as well, thank you so much.
It seems to me that to return to a photograph and re-edit it is part of the on-going process of learning the craft. Some of my early photographs are embarrassing but I see in others things I didn’t see at the time they were taken. I guess it comes down to the education of the eye. Always enjoy reading your blog.
I have some of those as well. I like to go back because I find it interesting to see how my editing evolves. What I was doing 6 months ago is not always what I am doing now. It is nice to see what I would do differently. Thank you.
Beautiful work. Works brilliantly without the window!
Thank you, I am really glad to see that.
Love the photo … so beautiful – the top one is my pick of them. Love the light from the window.
I think that was the problem for me, I wanted you to love the lounge suit just sitting on the floor, oh well, there are quite a few that like the window. Thanks
I love when light are playing with the objects … it’s a truly beautiful photo.
The first one for me too… But wonderful experiments. Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you Nia, it seems quite a few like that first one.
I love to experiment too… I like the one with the window better, but maybe not have the window so bright… more subdued… but I LOVE your work. It’s always outstanding!
That was the problem Keli, the window is blown out and I couldn’t really do anything with it. If I could make it darker, it would have stayed in the image. Thank you.
I have a fondness for windows because they give perspective to the foreground. However, the light from the window in the original seems intrusive, so I understand the rework.
That is exactly what I thought and the reason I took it out. Thank you Berna.
Removing the window was an awesome idea. I think the image is more restful without it. Digital Dodging? I have done it years ago with B&W in the lab, but never with my software. Can you refer me to someplace that outlines this process? Thanks! ~Lynda
Thanks Lynda, I am glad you agreed with me. I don’t know where to find information on digital dodging, I have just played with it over time. Sorry.
That’s OK, I will start searching on Google. Something should turn up there.
I think I prefer the black and white image. The Nik software is a really nice suite of tools. The more I use them the more I like them. Great post.
I think you are the first, but that is okay, that prefers that one. I am really liking the software too, I keep discovering new things. Thanks frozenhiker.
I love the first re-worked image too. (Though I didn’t notice it at first glance, the window was a distraction.) You’ve very clearly made light the subject of this photo. So I’ve got to say that I think I like the soft focussed version even slightly more…the way it softens the patterns in the upholstery and seems to diffuse the light a bit just adds to the dreaminess and timelessness of this image. (Just my very humble opinion.) A very beautiful job on getting the light just right!
I like your very humble opinion spree, very much, thank you, I like everything your said.
love the second one, a different feel without the window that suits the image better I think, but I might not have gone so far with the dodging of the mantle, but it still is a wonderful picture.
Yes, I did think I might have gone too far, I couldn’t decide, maybe if I ever rework it I won’t do it so much, thank you.
The third version is my favourite – it has that great wooziness to it – it makes me think of fairy tale narratives (of course the wooziness could be my flu).
Oh, I hope you are feeling better, the flu is horrible. I put that soft focus on it and it gives it a lovely feel, Thank you and get well soon.
I think it was a great idea to remove the window, and draw the eye towards the furniture instead. As you say, it is all about the lighting. I tend to prefer B&W photography, but I think in this case I prefer the image in colour. It makes it more moody!
Thank you Gabrielle, I like the mood in the image now. I like the desolate feel, the place time forgot.
I do think without the window is a brilliant idea.
Thank you, I thought so too Irene.
Removing the window was a very good move! Adrian
Thanks Adrian, it seemed like the right thing to do.
I can’t decide if I like the color or black and white photos better! They are all really cool!
I have the same problem all the time, Thank you Amanda.
Yes…removing that ugly jalousie window was a stroke of genius, Leanne! Prefer the color, as it is a sign of warm welcome, as opposed to the B/W, which is finely done, but gives me a definite feel of loneliness and abandonment. The color makes me want to build a fire, recline on the sofa, and simply watch flames for an hour …or even three!
I am glad you thought it was a good idea. I really didn’t like that window. I like the colour too, I’m not always convinced that just because an image is done in B&W it is better, though a lot of people can think like that. I am so glad you see the loneliness and sense of abandonment, I think it works a lot better like this. I like your last sentence, I might join you. Thanks
;>) !!!
Thanks for sharing this. I think the image with the window appeals to me more than without. As another contributor said, it feels lonely without. I also feel it is more closed-in and makes me want to look for the exit. Haunting image, and a successful one.
I also enjoy ‘discovering’ images I may have discounted at the time I shot them only to come back to them later and either edit them for the first time or for the fifth.
I love nik’s color efex – I tend to gravitate toward the bleached portrait recipe – and silver efex where I also am a fan of high structure – smooth.
Great blog. Congrats on the awards and on this image. Well done.
I have to say that I was kinda going for the lonely abandoned look, so while you think it looks better with the window, your comment tells me that it was successful. The hall has been abandoned. I think if the window had been better, in that it hadn’t been blown out it would have worked better.
It is great working on old images, as we grow and learn more, you can see how you would do images differently at different times. I love doing it. I love the Efex programs, they are so good, and you can do so many things. It is also funny how we like our favourites.
Thank you so much, and thanks for letting me know your thoughts.
Thank you for always coming round and liking my posts Leanne. I greatly appreciate it.
Isn’t that what we all do, support one another, that is one of the things I love about WordPress.
I like how you captured the drama of even the simplest things. It kind of opened my eyes to the possibilities of taking photographs of everyday ordinary objects. Thanks.
Thank you, I love putting so much drama into my images, well some of them. Editing opens up all possibilities, I love it.
just my opinion, but i think i like it better with the window. i think i personally would have duplicated the image onto another layer and set it to multiply or something, then applied a mask so only the window was multiplied, and thus darkened. or something like that. either way, i still think it’s a great shot!
The problem was the window is blown out, there is not detail in it, I tried many things to get more detail, but it just wouldn’t darken. The room was too dark to start with, too much contrast. I like without the window, I like the concentration on the lounge suit, now the image doesn’t have anything to do with the image. I appreciate your ideas though. Thank you.
very impressive editing!! wish I could do that !! although I think I like it with the window.
Thanks Sheila the window has been popular, but I was never comfortable with it. Learning how to edit just takes time, I still feel like a beginner.
I like all of the re-workings. Changing the light makes such a huge difference!
Thank you Allyson, I love this image, glad you liked what I did to it.