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.

Photo of bird in tree with antique and texture effects added.

 

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.

Birds sitting on edge of birdbath and one bird sitting in the water.Birds sitting on edge of birdbath and one bird sitting in the water. Black and White effect added to the photo.

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?

Bird sitting on edge of broken-down birdbath.Bird sitting on edge of broken-down birdbath. Textures added.

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.

 

Photo of a bushtit sitting in a tree.Photo of bird in tree with antique and texture effects added.
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.

Want to keep sharp?
Get our newsletter
for hot tips and
presenting encouragement.

Want to keep sharp?

Get our newsletter

for hot tips and

presenting encouragement.

Keep up to date with our FREE monthly newsletter.

You have Successfully Subscribed!