Since I haven’t posted a Before and After in almost a year (Part 5 was posted in February 2011), I think it is time!
My aesthetics is to have my images look natural, but polished. They shouldn’t look over-processed, but they also shouldn’t look flat, which some straight-out-of-the-camera images can look. Yep, even a “fancy camera” can produce images that look hum-drum.
A great image is a combination of so many factors. It’s about how you frame and compose, it’s about the lighting, it’s about the camera settings, it’s about the emotion or the story you’re capturing, and it’s about the post-processing!
I know many pros who transplant faces from one image to another. MANY pros do this. The reason for this is because you may have a perfectly great shot of a group, but one person blinked or maybe doesn’t have a pleasant facial expression whereas everyone else looks utterly delightful. So what do you do? Discard that shot or transplant the eyes or the face?
Many remedy this by transplanting in Photoshop.
For me, I remedy this by shooting a lot. I rarely get an image where I think: “Shucks! I wish I had gotten the second before or the second afterward.” I predict situations where a lot of movement occurs — either by me or by my group of subjects — and I’ll shoot a lot at that time. Shooting a lot means I take more time going through the images after the shoot, but I think it’s worth it in the end. That’s just me though. Many pros pride themselves on how few images they take per shoot. So there are various methods of shooting out there.
My advice is: do what works FOR YOU.
Don’t worry about what camera you own, what lenses you have (or don’t have), what settings you used, how many frames you take, and what you do with post-processing. If you love the end result (and your clients do too, if you’re a professional), then I give you a high-five! So don’t compare yourself to other photographers and always take criticism with a grain of salt.
The Road Less Traveled (by me)
So this past weekend, I had a shoot where this one grandparent (who had poise and was ultra glam!!!) temporarily stood apart from the rest of the group. She started talking to me, and I kept shooting her. For this one moment, she looked down.
Instantly, I could envision the shot I wanted, but unfortunately, it didn’t include the other people in the background. I quickly squatted down to get most of them out of the frame before my subject moved, but I couldn’t get them all out of the frame because I wanted to include her arms as well as not look completely up her nose! 
If I asked the group to stand aside and my subject to look down again, the image wouldn’t have been the same. What I loved about that particular moment was the way she looked down… like she was embarrassed that I was photographing her.
So I took the shot.
In post-processing, I could’ve chosen to crop the image into a vertical one, thereby getting rid of the background people. However, I intentionally composed the shot to have her on the side, so I could see the pattern of the columns beside her. So I chose not to crop.
[FYI: I rarely crop my images, unless it's just a tiny bit. It reduces the image quality and restricts how large my clients or I can enlarge their prints, so I try to get the image "right" in the camera.]
So I took the road less traveled — by me, that is — and Photoshopped the image to my heart’s content!
BEFORE
AFTER
Here were my post-processing steps:
First, in Photoshop, I cloned out the people in the background. Then I retouched my subject’s skin — just a tad, so it is smoother, but still looks like skin! (I usually do this with close-up portraits.) Then I did some oomphing to make the image pop!
The end result is EXACTLY how I envisioned it when I took the shot, so I am happy as a clam! It’s a little more editing work than I usually do, but sometimes you have to venture into unknown territory.
Who knows….maybe one day I’ll even transplant a face in Photoshop! Nah, who am I kidding?!!
Now that it’s November, holiday festivities begin, colder weather arrives, and our To Do Lists most likely expand.
One thing that is good to do now is start thinking about your holiday cards. If you’ve already had your photoshoot, then hooray — you’re halfway there! Now, onto ordering your holiday cards.
This is my first year I will not be selling my own cards, but I am working with Tiny Prints, where I have my own storefront.
I’ve chosen card designs that are modern and clean, and I believe will best reflect your photos.
Click on the banner to go to my storefront:
What I love best about these cards, other than the designs that I’ve carefully chosen, is the SUPERB quality paper, which is integral for great-looking photos.
You also get to customize your card to make it your own. You can change colors, the main message, inside text (of course), and even designs for the back of the card. (I like including a little update about my family to share with loved ones.)
If you have any questions, you know where to find me! 
STOP RIGHT THERE. Yea, I mean you. You’ll wanna hear this.
BlackRapid took my favorite single camera strap — the RS-W1 — and gave it a splash of color. Now it is functional, comfortable AND fun!
What is BlackRapid going to think up next?!!
Last week, BlackRapid introduced their latest products: The RS-W1 Colors. These are limited edition straps, which means you shouldn’t wait too long to pick one up if you’re thinking about buying one. Once they’re sold out, it’s hasta la vista, baby.
[If you aren't familiar with these camera straps, read my latest post on the RS-W1 versus a split double strap.]
Limited Edition Colors
From left to right, the colors are: Green Lake, Blue Ridge and Stone Way.
Sleek and Tough
The Limited Edition W1 Color straps have the same top quality materials as the regular RS-W1: Stainless steel hardware, ballistic nylon.
Sexy Curves
Like the regular RS-W1 straps, these limited edition straps have the same sexy curves that are made for a woman’s body.
Let’s face it. Most women want to be treated equally to men, but there are some things that make women different than men, like our bodies.
I am so grateful for companies, like BlackRapid, who have stepped up and embraced these differences by making products that are tailored for women.
On Real Women
Product Review Summary
My Overall Impression: “Niiiice!”
Evaluation of the Limited Edition colors: The colors are even cooler than I expected. For the same reason why I like Metallic Paper for my prints, I dig the metallic-like sheen of these colors.
Final comments/Suggestions: I think it’s fantastic to offer the W1, a woman’s strap, in colors other than black. What was a surprise to me was that the colors were all gender-neutral. I would love to see some colors or patterns that are more feminine, like red and purple. Maybe even a soft pink! I can’t speak for all women, but sometimes, I enjoy being a girlie-girl.
[Pssst! If you'd like one of these limited edition straps, I will be giving some away next week!]
This is a post for my client who is ordering a 20×24″ professional print, but she wants to see the image in both Color and BxW. I thought it may be interesting to post, so you can look for yourself…and weigh in, if you’d like!
Here is a side-by-side comparison.
I have a favorite. Do you?
Here are the images in a larger size if you need to see more details…
I think the decision comes down to what you want to notice more.
**Read my thoughts below AFTER you’ve formed your opinion, so I don’t sway you!**
With the color image, I notice the window and the surroundings, and it makes me wonder where they are. I love the color processing and I notice a lot of details in the image.
With the monochromatic version, my eyes go straight to the kids’ faces, and it makes me wonder what is making them smile so wide. (Their parents were doing something funny!) You do lose a bit of detail, like you don’t notice how the boy has one foot on his other leg as much as in the color version; however, you also don’t get distracted by the window and the reflection within it.
So what is your favorite?
Do you have wall space that you’d like to put artwork on, but you haven’t done it yet because you don’t know where to begin? Or you have so many photographs that you can’t narrow them down? Or you haven’t been able to coordinate the frames with the photographs?
Well, do I have an idea for you! Create a wall gallery with Standout Mounts!
Choose to Mix Them Up or Keep Them All the Same
You can combine dimensions and create your own visual lines, as I did here with standout mounts in sizes 8×10 to 16×24. Or, you can create a more symmetric pattern with the same dimensions, such as three 16x20s side-by-side.
(Tip: Objects typically look better in odd numbers.)
No Frames Necessary
One of the cool benefits of using standout mounts for your wall art is that you don’t have to coordinate frames with your images. Plus, you don’t have to get custom size frames or limit how you can display your photo by fitting it into a standard frame size.
For instance, most photos would look better as an 8×12, but the standard frame size is 8×10, which means something critical in the image would need to get cropped! Or, you could stick to the image size you want, but it would require custom framing, which can equal jaw-dropping prices!
With standout mounts, you can get the dimension that fits your photo best! In the example below, the image looked best as a 10×20.
Metallic All The Way
I decorated several walls in my home with standout mounts, and I selected Metallic Paper for all of them.
I advise pretty much all of my clients to choose Metallic. Well, now you see that I practice what I preach!
Metallic Paper gives images that extra “pop” while giving colors vibrancy and BxW images more dimension.
Ready To Hang
Standout Mounts that you order through me will come ready-to-hang. The back will have holes to hang on the wall with nails.
My preference is to use Command strips, which allow for slight adjustments without ruining your walls! I am crazy about these little strips! They made hanging up my 20 (yes, 20!) standout mounts so easy and fast!
[Click here for more details about Standout Mounts!]
Contact me for pricing of sizes not listed. Almost any size you need is available! I just listed the most popular sizes, so the product list is more manageable.
It’s time for another Before and After post! I got this idea from one of my new Facebook friends (hi Shana!) who said he wasn’t chummy with color correction in the editing process. (By the way, if you haven’t connected with me on my FB business page yet, please visit and click on “Like”! FB is a fab way to communicate, share ideas, ask questions, etc.)
His comment got me thinking…
For all photographers, not only ones who just started out, there are times you need to edit an image because you are correcting something — such as, tweaking the white balance, cropping something out, adjusting the contrast or highlight, or dodging and burning areas of an image.
Then there are times the image looks perfectly fine all by itself, without any editing at all. So why fix something that isn’t broken, right? Perhaps the image is technically fine, but does it convey a feeling, or a mood, that you want? These are things I ask myself when I am editing a client gallery.
In my opinion, taking the shot is half the art. The other half is how I oomph it afterwards!
Here are a few examples from recent images…
Creating a Scene
I was attracted to this area because of the storm clouds and twiggy vines. Though my subject is smiling, I envisioned this shot (when I took it) to have cold, steel-like colors. I wanted it look eerie, like a set of a horror film!
Highlighting Features
There is nothing wrong with the original, straight-out-of-the-camera image. But here’s where mood is important to lavish on a photo!
This little girl’s gorgeous red curls, flawless skin, and bluish-gray eyes were lackluster in the original image. So, WAPOW!! After some oomphing, she looks exactly like how I see her.
Set the Mood
Below is a great example of an image that could have been left alone and would have been great. (Well, “great” if you like shots of bottles – ha ha. I took this when I was walking around town with my little girl.)
I took this shot because of the colors of the labels and light glowing in the fridge and bouncing off the glass bottles. My oomphing makes the image richer and makes me find those bottles more tantalizing! Gimme gimme…
Subtlety is Sweet
Post processing does not have to mean major changes or over-processing. The image below is another example of a perfectly fine photo straight-out-of-the-camera.
The oomphed photo only has subtle differences. Do you think it makes a difference?
This is a good question to ask yourself when you are editing your images. If you don’t see much difference or see a purpose in the processing, then you shouldn’t do it.
Heavier Processing
Sometimes I want a bit more processing. In this image below, it was late in the day and we were in the shade, so the colors were a little dull, but technically okay.
I processed the shot to have a moodier tone, which complements Mia’s expression.
To see some prior Before and After posts, click here:
Before and After Part 4 (August 2010)
Before and After Part 3 (June 2009)
These mini cards are sleek and cool, and they’re just the perfect size to keep in your pocket, backpack, diaper bag, wherever! You will be able to hand them out to friends faster than you can say “beeblebopperbobbenheimer!” Well, definitely faster than you can say that word!
These mini cards can be used as Senior Cards, as you see below. They are much hipper to hand out to friends than wallet-size photos! Mini cards also make fantastic Mommy Cards, so work-at-home moms can easily share contact information with other parents.
The Mini Card Collection
Mini cards are designed just for you!
Customized Info
You can put as much or as little information on your cards as you’d like.
It could have just one word — such as, a nickname (“The Rock”) — or it can have several pieces of information — such as, “Jordana, Justin’s Mommy, 867-5309″. Whatever you wish!
Tin Is In!
All mini card orders come in a tin case that I love!
I have it next to my gorgeous tin CD cases, so you could see the relative size.
Product Details At-A-Glance
~ Mini Cards come in a set of 100 cards. [Click here to see Mini Card pricing.]
~ You can choose 1 to 4 images to display on your cards.
~ There is one image per card. (So if you choose 2 images to display, then you will receive 50 cards for each image.)
~ All orders include one tin case.
~ There is a protective glossy coating on the card cover (the side with an image). The back side will also have a design printed on it, but will not have an image, so it will not be specially coated.
~ You will have an opportunity to view a draft of your cards before it is sent to the lab. That is a time for you to check the accuracy of the information.
~ To order, simply email me the following information:
1) Quantity you’d like to order
2) The file names of the images you’d like on your cards
#) The information you’d like included
Everything about this jewelry piece says I Love You!
~ It is handcrafted, one-of-a-kind and custom-made.
~ You choose the image that will be worn next to your heart.
~ The photo will be permanently sealed into the jewelry, so it is waterproof and UV-resistant. This means the necklace can be worn everywhere, and it will still look fabulous!
~ You choose the word to be handstamped on the charm (up to 7 letters). It can be a name, initials, a favorite saying.
~ Everything is sterling silver.
More Details:
* The photo pendant is approximately 3/4″.
* The photo will be printed at a professional lab.
* You can choose between a circle or square photo pendant. If you purchase multiple pendants, you can mix and match shapes.
* Necklaces come with an 18″ sterling silver ball chain. If you prefer, you can request a 16″ ball chain instead.
* Charms are handstamped, not machine-stamped, so each charm is unique and not “perfect”.
* Photo pendants and charms can be purchased individually, so your collection can grow over time.
For pricing information, please check out my products page on my website.
I haven’t shown Before and After images in over a year, so I thought this past engagement shoot would lend some great examples because the lighting wasn’t ideal. The sunlight was extremely bright, which meant my couple was either in the harsh sun or the dark shadows.
Plus, moving in and out of the shadows changed the white balance, and I shoot too fast to catch some of the slight shifts during the shoot. So it was up to me to oomph the images in a way that set the mood as it was on that day: warm, beautiful and romantic.
(Note: If you are new to my blog, I call my editing process: oomph-ing!)
Before
When I was going through my images after the shoot, I knew this one was a keeper because the composition highlighted their body language, which showed a kind of sweet tenderness, but the color was a little cool for my taste.
After
Once oomphed, the image looks romantic, sweet, and a little sexy!
Before
I love the slanted tree on the side and the branches hanging down from the top of the frame. However, my subjects were in the shade and the background was fully lit.
In camera, you can compensate by letting in more light, but then you risk washing out the beautiful hills in the background or having a blurry photo from having a slower shutter speed! Also, since my style is editorial, my subjects were in motion, so I had to act fast or else I’d miss this beautiful moment.
After
Ahhhh… now it looks like Summer love in the vineyard!
I not only evened out the light, but I also gave it a warm, vintage coloring.
Before & After
I actually took quite a few frames to get this because my subjects had to be in the perfect angle to catch enough light on their faces and body. This is the challenge when it is a sunny day and your shooting style is editorial. (I don’t like posing my subjects too much because then the expressions look artificial. I like capturing emotions and a story.)
To make this image the best it can be, I cropped out some of the clutter, like the car on the left and some rocks and hose on the right. Cropping also meant my subjects would be a little larger & closer, which I thought would look better for this photo.
When I took the shot, I had wanted it composed with the subjects small & in the center, but seeing the image on my computer sometimes changes my game plan!
The oomphing changed an image that probably wouldn’t have made it into the final cut (as is) to an image that would look amazing on a large canvas wrap!
Before
When I first met my subjects, I thought, “They look like models!” and then I did a jump-kick and the splits… in my head, of course.
As most of you know, there is a lot of airbrushing and Photoshopping in magazines and photos of models. So I extended the same courtesy to my subjects who already looked fabulous, but just needed a little oomph.
After
Ooh la la! Now they look like models in a fashion spread. Their digital facial, if you will, still lets them look like themselves. You still see a few freckles and wrinkles, which, in my opinion, are what makes us each unique, like a fingerprint.
Photoshopping someone’s skin is probably one of the most controversial editing topics for photographers. A couple years ago, I would’ve never done this because I believed everyone looked better unedited! Now I see the editing work like patting on a little more makeup, but digitally. I feel strongly, however, about leaving permanent marks, like moles and birth marks, alone. Again, that’s just part of your “fingerprint” or uniqueness.
Final Notes
Some photographers don’t like to reveal how much was done in post-production, but I think it’s incredibly interesting to see the before and after photos — not just for photography enthusiasts, but also for clients. Personally, I’m happy to share with my clients how much effort and artistry I put into creating each image in my gallery!
In case you’re wondering, there are also images that look fantastic right out of the camera: the color, white balance, saturation, hue, contrast, composition. Starting in 2010, I oomph almost all images in client galleries. That’s just how I roll.
I remember that not long ago, I’d pride myself on how I only did “light editing”, such as cropping or contrast adjustment. But now I think differently.
When I think back to my film development and enlargement class at UC Berkeley, I remember one of my biggest A-Ha! moments was realizing that taking the shot is only half of the creative process. Half! The other half is what happened in the dark room! The same applies now with digital photography. The digital dark room — a photo editing software, such as Photoshop — plays a very key role in how the final image will look.
You can take 10 photographers to process the same image and come out with 10 very different images, just as you would if you asked 10 photographers to take a photo of the same subjects.
[Click here to see last year's Before and After - Part 3 post.]
If you’ve followed my blog or even spoken to me about photography, then you already know what oomphing means.
To Oomph = verb. Annie Tao’s process of editing images
I was taking a gander at some photos online recently and saw some BxW images that were plain as can be. I thought BxW would be a terrific blog subject because there are various ways you can process (or edit) BxW images.
Using a recent photo I took at a client photoshoot, I will explain why I changed it to BxW and what some other versions of BxW are out there yonder!
Original Image (Straight-Out-Of-The-Camera)
My thought process:
* There is a lot going on here with the color of the baby’s pants and the livingroom background.
* I wanted to highlight the parents’ facial expressions, which is why I love this photo.
* Changing this image to BxW would accomplish all of this: place attention on the parents’ faces and take your eyes off the background and baby pants.
BxW #1: Plain & Un-Oomphed
Most people have access to photo editing software, so anyone can turn a color image into a BxW image. You can even do this when you walk into the photo section of a drugstore or Costco!
There’s nothing wrong with this image. Many photographers will stop right here.
To me, it’s a little flat. So let’s continue with our BxW journey…
BxW #2
Do you see a difference? Do you think it’s better or worse or the same?
It’s a little brighter, but I find the highlights slightly unappealing.
BxW #3
This version is grainy. I actually like this better than the first two because it has more character. Looks like a photo in a newspaper.
BxW #4
This version has a lot more grays. This would look great on certain photos with less emotion, but I think the steel gray hues make this family photo feel a little cold.
It doesn’t convey a mood that matches the image.
BxW #5
This version is soft and dreamy.
It looks like a scene in my head after I’ve fallen and lost consciousness! Ha ha. Or maybe a scene in a movie about Heaven. Again, not the mood I’m looking for.
BxW #7: My Oomph-ed Version!
This is what my final image looked like. (You may have already seen it in the sneak peek.)
Do you see how it’s different than the other versions? What version do you prefer for this image?
There are a kajillion ways you can edit a BxW image. I only shared a few with you just to give some examples.
My point is that there are many ways to edit a BxW image, so pay attention to how you edit your image if you’re a photographer/amateur photographer/enthusiast. Notice what kind of mood your editing work places on the image and think about whether that is the mood you want to convey.
And if you’re not a photographer, notice what kind of editing work photographers are doing to their BxW images. And if all they’re doing is converting it to BxW without putting anymore thought into it, then run for the hills.
There should be just as much thought placed into editing BxW photos as there is in editing Color photos!
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