Nature

Enhance the beauty of photos: LAPC

When I process pictures, I think about how to enhance the beauty of the subject.

The natural features at the Red Canyon Overlook in Dutch John, Utah are beautiful, but so is the visitor center. The roof looks like wings swooping upwards. A fence with a modern design and a standing dead tree add to the beauty.

To enhance the architecture of the building, I used a cold filter and a dark vignette. I framed it with a simple white slide mount effect.

A little girl was delighted to see the harbor seals drifting by her at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon. It was a magical moment.

I cropped the picture down to focus on the girl and the seal. Cross processing made the colors pop. I erased some of the floating debris and softened the edges to finish it off. This photo is framed using an edge-painted effect.

I love photographing hibiscus flowers! Since fall was fast approaching when I visited the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon, the leaves were starting to turn.

I cropped the picture down a lot and increased the contrast. A yellow leaf on the right was erased. The transparent frame focuses all of your attention on the flower.

The structure of this rock formation in Thermopolis, Wyoming at Hot Springs State Park was impressive.

I cropped it down but wanted to keep that patch of red soil in the foreground. To make it blend in better and enhance the beauty, I used a warming filter. By increasing the contrast, the lines in the rocks stand out more. I framed this photo with a warm colored mat.

When editing your photos, don’t forget to try out some of the unique framing and edge effects.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Before and After

SoyBend

Centered in Bend, Oregon, my blog branches out into nature, history, and art-related topics.

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  • Great explanations with enhanced photos to match, Siobhan. The Thermopolis image should be on a wall. The detail and balance was as you wish, and your use of framing is a great add to the challenge. I especially like the transparent frame to boost the image of the hibiscus. Very nice.

    • Thank you, Donna! I had fun with that challenge since I edit all my pictures. Glad you liked my Thermopolis and hibiscus photos. :D

  • Your techniques about framing are very informative. They work nicely with these beautiful photos you presented. Great post!

  • Great editing Siobhan! And thank you for the suggestion on framing photos during the editing process.

  • Loved your edits Siobhan - the framing is really well done. Also think your edits on the opener are excellent - subtle but effective. Well done!

    • Thank you, Tina! I don't always frame my pictures, but I thought it would make the "after" photos more dramatic. Glad you liked my edits.

  • Hibiscus are among my favourite flowers and I especially like what you've done with that edit to bring out the flower's beauty! Your framing ideas are interesting too, I may experiment more in that area.

    • Thanks, Sarah! Yes, I know you like photographing hibiscus as well. There's just something special about them. :) Have fun trying out some of the framing options once in a while.

  • Excellent use of framing, something I didn't think of! Thermopolis is mesmerising, I love the work on that one.

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