I run a weekly photography challenge group and this week’s challenge is wrist jewelry photography. Things have been a bit crazy for me, so I had to whip an image out fast. I like to use an example for people to see, so I had to have something. I found this old bracelet and did some experimenting with it.
Our Wisteria bush is blooming like crazy this year, so I thought I would use it as a background. I originally planned on just taking photos of the bracelet. But thought I’d do a quick pic with it on my arm.
This is the original image, before any work.I applied a filterThe bracelet before I added the purple colorThe stones are now purple and really stand out.
In order to change the color of the stones, I used hue/saturation in Photoshop. The color desaturation is done using a black and white layer with masks.
Feel free to share your own wrist jewelry images in the comments or share your link!
If you recall, one of my goals was to do a video showing my work process from beginning to end. This is not quite a video, but instead a step by step of my Ink Stamp Heart image with photos. I created these photos after the image was complete. Mostly because if I showed you all the deleted and rejected versions, it would take you all day to go through them. I love to experiment, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Image Layers
This is the original image. I found this old, wooden ink stamp in an antique store years ago. I knew that I would want to do something cool with it, I just didn’t know what.
Original photo of an old ink stamp
Using a Topaz Adjust filter, I gave the image a boost. The shape tool in Photoshop helped me create a heart mask. So the mask would not have a perfect edge, I used small brushes to roughen the edges because love isn’t perfect.
Just adding a mask makes this photo more interested. I gave the mask a jagged edge using brushes because I didn’t want it to be perfect.
I use Topaz Adjustment on almost all of my photos. Sometimes it’s just a basic boost for contrast and clarity
I copied the first layer, sized it down, kept the drop shadow, and deleted the Topaz filter. I kept both of these layers as smart objects, so that I can go back and change them later if I need to.
The smaller heart has the Topaz filter removed, so it will stand out even more.
Layer 0 is copied, sized, and the topaz filter removed to make it stand out more. I left the drop shadow for separation
Texture and Background
Smoky black and white images helped me create a texture on the background. While a mask with a drop shadow created another heart. Additionally, I used an odd shaped brush to give even more texture.
The first texture layer is added for an overall texture.
I added another texture layer with a mask and a drop shadow for an extra heart shape.
I found a cool shaped brush and used it to add even more texture to the image.
It’s all about Love, isn’t it?
All layers before the color is added. I admit that I kind of like it that. Maybe I’ll make a black and white with no color also.
Final Image
Finally, I added a black and white adjustment layer with a red tone, added my signature, and saved it. Blend modes on layers are great to play with!
Love stamped on hearts
This image is available as a print, greeting card, and other accessories on my website.
In the dead of winter, when it’s cold and dreary outside is a good time for me to experiment and get a little more creative with my photos. Feedback is always welcome!
Old Church Blues Before is dark and dreary with no contrast
Old Church Blues has some added texture and toning giving it a whole different feel.
Bijou Sign Grungy Before feels like a snapshot or a photo that would be in a brochure about upcoming events
Bijou Sign vintage style Grungy has a Topaz filter, texture, and some toning work
Apple Blossoms Vintage Before is simple and I like the color fine.
Apple Blossoms Vintage Style with added texture, contrast, and toning. I love the way the petals look like soft paper.
The Key to Fantasy Before is colorful but the keys get lost.
The Key to Fantasy has some lens flares added as well as texture and brush work with toning.
Pink Apple Blossom before I added texture, a vignette, and did some color work.
Pink Apple Blossoms with some added texture and color changes
I enjoy processing my images with selective color. I often try to make it subtle and not so in your face. But there are times when I like to push it. It can help a boring image come alive and grab attention.
Pink always wins!
Pink and red usually stand out on their own. I like to give them a little help sometimes. When I took the pic in Budapest, I really did not notice her. That happens a lot when I’m traveling. They tend to become happy accidents for me. The pink flower just needed something and I was in a rut, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and went wild. The woman in red pants in Old Town Square caught my eye as soon as I saw this photo. I still don’t know which one I prefer. And red doors always make me happy!
She pretty much stands out whether the background is color or not. but I really wanted her to pop.
A subtle tone shift in the background really makes her stand out.
The pink stands out on its own against the green. But it is really rather boring.
A very boring photo of a pink Echinacea became something else entirely with a little extra work.
The full color version is rich with greens and yellows.
A very subtle toning down of the other colors in the photo.
The Norris Post Office is a quaint little brick building.
As black and white with a punch of red and a little blue in the flag.
The full color version of the Old Town Square in Prague. There’s a woman with red pants that stands out even in that sea of people.
Old Town Square Prague with all of the people in black and white except 1 woman with bright red pants.
All of the other colors have just been toned down. The people look a little like zombies in this pic.
Everything other than the woman with the red pants has been converted to black and white.
This is more colorful and has a little more impact.
An old road side store in rural Tennessee. It’s old, rotting, falling apart, but the flag still stands.
I really wanted the photo to be about the green rabbit.
Green Rabbit
Reflecting Bijou
The selective color is almost already there. I just helped it along.
Blues and greens are fun too!
The American flag should always have selective color. Always. As in the case with the Bijou reflection, the selective color is already there, it just needed a little push. A green rabbit on top of sausage vendor’s stall. I wanted the eye to go right to that rabbit and not the bright red coat below. The blue wagon grabbed my attention when I was processing the photo later.
As always, I love feedback. I would also love to see your selective photos. And remember have fun with your art!
My husband often says he likes the original photos before I work them up. What he really means is that he likes the ones where I’ve done some work, but not too much. Raw photos are dull as dishwater and usually need some work. There are also plenty of folks who feel “straight out of camera” is the only way to go. Like it’s some kind of sin to crop or remove a sign or other unwanted thing. I used to be one of those people. I did not like HDR or anything I considered “overworked”. Now I love it!
Before Digital
I started out using film. It was more of a what you get is what you got world. Sure there were ways to cut, paste, burn, dodge, tone, etc. But what a pain in the ass most of it was. Also, the chemicals. Ick. I know people who still use film. I don’t miss it. Digital has given me a whole new way to express myself with photography.
Here are some straight out of camera shots (raw), before I straighten, lighten, or fix color. Then the basic versions, after I do those things. And a few of the ones where I “overworked” them. I love them, but some people don’t enjoy them quite the way I do.
Feel free to share your own before and after. I would love to see them! Any feedback is also welcome!
Straight out of the camera, this image is dull and a little dark
This is more colorful and has a little more impact.
An old road side store in rural Tennessee. It’s old, rotting, falling apart, but the flag still stands.
It’s dark and drab. Sometimes when you are traveling, you get one chance. I had been out on a bright
So much more colorful and inviting. A small cafe sits in the courtyard at the end of this tunnel in Budapest.
This is one of my favorite photos ever. But it started out dark and drab and oh so crooked.
What a difference a little work makes! An open window over Market Square. A young woman takes a selfie.
I like the black and white, but I still prefer the color version of this one.
The before isn’t terrible, but there are spots in the sky. It’s a little dull.
Doesn’t this look better? The Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest, glows in the golden light of the setting sun.
This fine. But it feels dull and dark. Boring
The Howard J. Baker Federal Courthouse has an arched entry and a beautiful clock tower and cupola.
The glow is there, but there are a few distracting elements and it just needs a little extra oomph.
I love this photo! I love this version. It glows, it’s warm, it’s inviting.
The same glow but not as warm and inviting. It feels like an old documentary photo.
It’s crooked! The gold glows, but the windows are blown out and details get lost. It looks like a snapshot
This feels painterly and soft. It glows and the window detail is there. I love this version!
A little crooked and cool for my taste.
I love the finish on this. It really brings out the detail in the scrollwork.
The colors are uneven. Is it warm, is it cool? I almost didn’t work it at all.
Black and white or toning is a good way to handle uneven lighting, especially in dark places.
It’s fine. But I wanted a different feel for this group of photos.
The back porch is overgrown with weeds, as the cover threatens to fall in.
I don’t mind the original version of this one.
The side doors stand open, hanging from the hinges, threatening to fall off at any time.
Some more map art. This time it includes photos of Finca Vigía, Hemingway’s home in San Francisco de Paula, Cuba and quotes from some of the books he wrote there. Finca Vigía means Lookout Farm and it does have a beautiful view.
“The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for” – For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway.
“You never understand anyone that loves you” – Islands in the Stream, Ernest Hemingway.
After working several of my photos from Cuba, I decided to try something different. I wanted to emphasize the idea of travel and adventure that drives me. I have always loved the beauty of maps and so decided to integrate my love of photography and my love of maps.
To purchase prints, pillows,tote bags, shower curtains, or phone cases of these, click here.
Finca Vigía in San Francisco de Paula, Cuba
Hemingway’s writing space inside Finca Vigía in San Francisco de Paula, Cuba
Here are some of the photos in my Fantasy Art Gallery. The originals are there as well. I’ve been doing a little more experimenting with Photoshop and composite photography. Please visit to see some other cool things.
Warrior Elf
Fire Goddess
Earth Goddess
Fine Art Photography by Sharon Popek
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