TO POST OR NOT TO POST...

So, I'm struggling with the idea of post processing.  I came from a film background where most of the work HAD to be done in the camera.  You could make minor changes in the dark room, but not much.  Now, I've entered the digital world where everything is modified in Photoshop.  It's not even the original picture anymore.  I've experimented with it and in some cases it's been beneficial.  In others,  it's like I took a great picture and modified it just because I could.  I don't want to get into that habit, so I've decided that I'm only go to Photoshop the images that absolutely HAVE to be modified.  Here's some shots from last night, some modified, most not.

ISO 1000 f/4 1/100 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/100 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

Modified in Post

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

I had to lighten this one a lot because JJ was being lit from behind.  The lighting as well as the post processing made it look grainy and kind of strange.  

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

Modified in Post

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/80 Focal Length: 50

Cropped

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/160 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/640 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 1000 f/4 1/1000 Focal Length: 50

Lightened in Post

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

POST PROCESSING : PORTRAITS

So, I did a little post processing on a few of my portraits in Photoshop and here are the results!  

Before

After- Image was cropped, lightened and the colors were made more saturated.  My husband will be glad that I erased a few of his laugh lines. 

Before

After: Entire image lightened, colors more saturated and not as dirty looking

Before

After: Brightened and lightened.  Lint removed from black top.

 Before

After: Cropped and lightened, although I don't know if it needed to be lightened.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

I went outside today with JJ to get some fresh air and take pictures.  We have been sick and cooped up for weeks and it felt so good to be outside.  JJ had a blast.  We just walked down the street, past the volunteer firehouse and back.  One of our neighbors that volunteers gave him a candy cane, which he loved!   I love the contrast between JJs coat and the drab background.  Beautiful.  

JJ eating his candy cane, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.  

ISO 100 f/4 1/640 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 100 f/4 1/640 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 100 f/4 1/640 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

You can't tell, but we were practicing walking backwards here!

ISO 100 f/4 1/320 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

This one is a little light, would have benefitted from a quicker shutter speed.

ISO 100 f/4 1/320 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 100 f/4 1/500 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 100 f/4 1/4000 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

ISO 100 f/4 1/4000 Focal Length: 50

AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D

SNOW!

It's not even January and we've had a decent amount of snow.   Here are some pics to commemorate the first of many, I'm sure!  All images were shot with a AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G lens.

Experimenting with depth of field.  Image 1 of 2.

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320

Experimenting with depth of field.  Image 2 of 2.

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320

JJ refused to sit in the sled.

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320

Playing in the snow!

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320

Beautiful!

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320

Winter Wonderland

ISO 100 35mm f/4 1/320