Why I love editing so much

I took pictures of my adorable nephews! It was fun, and I feel like I'm getting more confident taking pics of other people besides my children. Plus, I keep learning new things each time I take pics, so I can apply that learning to the next.

First off, don't judge. But I'm going to include before and after pictures. And some of my before aren't the best. I aim to make every picture correct lighting & exposure, but sometimes it doesn't happen that way. Especially if the lighting isn't always in your favor. And there is so much going on in my mind that I sometimes forget to adjust my settings. That's a whole other post for another day - what I think about during a photoshoot. Ha ha! Anyways, I LOVE looking at before and after pictures. It really shows why editing pictures is so important. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell which is before and after, but before is on the left/top and after is right/bottom.

This one, for example, I got the lighting and exposure perfect! And the picture looks good, but the after is so much better!

This one, underexposed, but I edited it so it wasn't. That's why I love editing, it makes the picture come together. And don't worry, once I realize a pic is underexposed (too dark), or overexposed (too bright) I remember to change my settings. Right before this picture, I was taking pictures in a different spot (also in the shade like this), but just changing directions, even a little bit changes the lighting and therefore changes the settings. Again, there's just so much to think about. But by editing it, I saved the picture and I love it!

The lighting is fine in this one, and it's cute, but the edited version is so much better!

So I think I have REALLY found my style (remember this post?). When I began learning about photography I researched ways to photoshop a picture, etc. I found cool stuff, stuff that goes overboard, and subtle things. Either way, what I used to do - refer to post and see those pics, oh my! - is NOT my style. Those poor, poor pictures. Ha ha!

I like my pictures to be as natural as possible. I don't like photoshopping clouds or colorful skies into the pic, or making it look old school or sepia or whimsical or making someone skinnier. Although some people do that type of editing and it looks great, but it's not me. I like it natural, with a pop of color and then I remove distracting things or zits, smooth out skin and make eyes pop. I don't like too much contrast or it looks fake. Add a slight vignette to it and I'm done. It's simple, natural, but I think it looks good. What do you think? Although it won't change how I edit, but I'm just curious what people look for in a photographer, as far as style goes. Maybe my style will change slightly after a few more years, but I find myself doing the same things to my pictures almost every time. So there you go. I love editing and making the picture come together and I think my nephews are so stinking cute! Here's more - just the edited versions. Enjoy!

Don't you just love this? He saw his older brother getting his pic by this wall, so he had to have his pic by the wall, too. And he whipped out this for me - all by himself. Isn't that adorable? So GQ!