So, as I said last week, I am not doing the One Four Challenge anymore, well, for the time being. I am still undecided, but in my gut, I don’t think I will do it again. Maybe for a one time thing, but not continuously.
This week, I wanted to do something that I’ve been thinking about for a while. Let’s take a look.
Have you done images in the past and wondered now how you would do them differently?
That could be with post-processing or taking the photo again. I often look back on old photos and cringe when I look at them. I wonder what I would do differently now. I can see how some of them are over-processed, or I missed stuff. This is my chance to give it another go.
I decided to start with something easy. This image was taken in the city along the river in 2014.
It was one of those mornings when the water was very still.
When I was taking photos back then, I was doing a lot of High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos. I would do bracketing all the time, with either 3 or 5 bracketed shots. Bracketing is where each image is taken with a different exposure, so you end up with a range from very dark to very light. When you put those images together using special software, you end up with a full range, where the shadows have lots of detail, and then the highlights are not burned out. In theory sounds good, but was it?
Here is the HDR that I made of that time above. Though I should point out that the above image is only one of the 5 in that set.
This is what I ended up with. It is a fairly good range, but there is something a bit soft about the image. I don’t know how to describe it.
I decided to take the best exposure from the set, which was the first image, and just process it.
It is funny looking at this, because if I didn’t know, I would have thought this was HDR. I spent more time on this, trying to bring out the shadows even more. I wanted the red to pop.
I didn’t do much else there.
I do think with post-processing these days that you don’t really need to do HDR anymore. I can’t remember the last time I did one, it must be over 10 years ago at least. I am a bit embarrassed by how much I used to be addicted to it.
So what do you think of this type of post? I like the idea of getting a redo, I guess you could call it. An opportunity to fix the images I am now embarrassed about.
The popping makes all the difference!
Thank you Geoff, glad you think so too.
Great shoot, and – replying to your question – I was born with film photography, what was possible as editing at that time was limited to chemicals in development and a bit of masking in printing: this is still my philosophy today, regardless I use digital at 85% of my work. I limit the number of photos, usually work more on the exposure, and then manage a bit highlight and shadows.
Thank you. I did a lot of film before digital too. I started hating film for exactly those reasons, I felt like I had a lot more freedom once I got photoshop. I do heaps, lol.
Oh, by the way, the re-do is much better. Yeah!
Good to hear, thank you Tim.
I really appreciate the post. I think it’s natural to look back on older work, and think about the things we can do better now. With better technology, and with more years of experience, it’s just fun to try a re-do.
This was cool. Thanks, Leanne. In fact I just put up a post where I did a similar thing – re-working some photoiI took in January.
Can you send me the link, please Tim.
I agree, I think it is natural, our work just changes with time. Thank you.
Hi Leanne, here is the link: https://timothyharlow.com/2025/11/05/another-look-at-yaquina-head-oregon/
These types of posts are really informative. I like your photos, so seeing/learning what you do helps me with my own work. I appreciate any chance to learn.
Your work is beautiful, so just getting to look at your photos is very nice too. 🙂
That is good to hear. Thank you so much. 😀
We all had our HDR moments (and embarrassments). Nowadays, I occasionally bracket images. It’s generally because there’s a lot of tonal variation.
Sadly, I think you might be right Egidio. I do too, but usually so I can get the best exposure, work it out when it is on my computer. Thank you.
I think re-visiting old photos. Seeing them with fresh eyes is a great idea. I like the red structure (which I also photographed once) being highlighted more. And I definitely like the higher definition (as I call it) on the first and last images.
It’s something I usually tweak in my own images as mine can look a bit wishy-washy or too soft. (well, some of them ARE soft in focus. LOL).
You defintely have a talent for architectural photography and composition.
Many of my own early images have the wrong exposure or editing as I lived in a very dark apartment back in those days. Now I have floor-to-celing windows, I think I have improved somewhat. I only do editing in the natural morning light these days anyway. And then, not often, as I rarely go outdoors for a nature walk due to health issues. Personally, I don’t think any artificial light is good for photo editing. But I’m an amateur, not a professional.
Thank you Vicki, I really like doing it as well.
I think retweaking, or in this case completely starting over is a good thing to do. I love doing architecture.
I’m sure you have improved, I think we all do over time. I look back at some of mine and I feel embarrassed that I showed them to anyone. I’m sure you do great Vicki.
nothing wrong with a redo, but also shows that you’re learning as you go
I totally agree Beth, thank you.
That’s really nice. 🤗🤗
Thank you Ted.
The water is so calm and it’s a mirror, beautiful.
I love when the water is like that, thank you.
The redo is very vibrant. I like it a lot!
I was a bit surprised by it, thank you Lois.
Beautiful – love the reflections!
Thank you Pamela.