Credit Where It Is Due

Credit Where It is Due

I like to make photographs, and I enjoy being praised for what I have done. But God teaches a different attitude, one of thankfulness and humility. He pointed that out to me recently. I DO NOT MAKE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ALONE. I didn't create the light, or the technology which makes photography possible. I didn't buy my camera, it was a gift from my husband. I didn't give myself the ability to see through the camera in order to make an image which others find pleasing. It is right to use what I have been given to the best of my ability, but it is wrong to take credit for what I have not done. God made the light, the elements which are used to manufacture the camera, and the world from which these images come. He has given me gifts: people to teach me, eyes to see with, and a brain to process information. I am thankful for these gifts. He deserves all the praise, not I.

Showing posts with label waterfall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waterfall. Show all posts

Monday, May 7, 2012

Picasa Meets a Waterfall

This is a small seasonal creek on our property.
I thought the subject and composition of the original image were beautiful.
BUT
Nothing was really clear, and the colors lacked pizzazz.

Well, I have been playing around with Picasa's editing tools, so I played with this.
I decided not to crop it. But I did do these things:
First, I used the saturation tool, which brought up the color some.
Then, I posterized it, adjusting for maximum colors and detail, which made it look more like a painting.
Focus issue solved.
Next, I applied what is called "Orton-ish." This tool increases contrast, "bloom," and  "brightness." I had to tone it down with the sliders to get an effect I liked.
Finally, I added the border.

This is the original.

What do you think?