Adding effects to a photo can change more than the look. It can change the mood it creates and the even the story it tells.
Black and White Almost
With this photo, I changed it to a simple black and white. But wait! It’s not quite a B&W photo. Notice I left just a hint of color, which created an interesting result. With a hint of green in the background, the only elements with a bit of color are the birdbath and the one bird on the right. The change from the original creates something dreamlike and makes you take a closer look.
Greater Effect
Here the effects create a greater change. In this photo, I played with split tones. I gave the highlights a yellow and the shadows a reddish cast. And I added a subtle texture to give the photo an aged look. The original photo is interesting and fun on its own, but the added effects change the character of the scene. Which do you like better?
And Even More
Here I did some extreme work giving the photo a painterly quality. I added an antique effect and a texture. The texture makes it look as if there are cracks in a very old photo. These effects have created something very different from the original photo. Now, the feel and the spirit are completely changed.
A Purist Becomes a Maverick
I’ve never been one to play with my photos this way. I’ve been a purist when it came to photography. But trying this out and working with effects was a lot of fun. More than I expected. I’ve seen some fantastic work by other photographers, and these don’t come anywhere near to their expertise. But I’m just starting out and hope to do more experimenting along the way. Now and then, I’ll share my results with you. I hope you join me on this effects journey.
