Highlighting the creative magic behind post-processed photos
Welcome to ABFriday’s monthly One Photo Focus! This month, 20 photographers are sharing their post-processing interpretations of one “before” image submitted by yours truly.
We begin with my “before” image, followed by the “afters,” and at the end, a gallery of all so you can watch the changes as you scroll through. Be sure to click the links to each participant’s blog as many have written posts “uncovering the magic” behind their “after” images. And if you would like to participate in October’s One Photo Focus, you’ll find all the details on the After-Before Friday Forum page.
BEFORE PHOTO
Submitted by Stacy Fischer — Visual Venturing
Truth be told, I actually had a fairly difficult time with my own photo. I took the shot because of the light on the rigging and the bow of the boat, but the colors were pretty muddy looking. So I decided to accentuate the light and then have fun with the colors. I used a combination of LR adjustments to bring out as much of the rigging and bow light as I could, and then I took it into Topaz Impression, where for the life of me, I can’t remember which one of the filters I chose and then tweaked. (I thought I had written it down, but I can’t find my notes, as I worked on this two weeks ago.) I then finished by bringing it back into LR and applying a few more color adjustments to the water to make it bluer.
Thanks to all who participated – I always love to see everyone’s creativity! Stay tuned for next month, when we’ll be post-processing something a little different – a cellphone photo from Y. Prior!
Submitted by Bryan — theonlyD800inthehameau
Submitted by Leara Morris-Clark – LearaWrites
Submitted by Bren Ryan — RyanPhotography
Submitted by Cee Neuner — Cee’s Photography
Submitted by Raewyn — decocraftsdigicrafts
Submitted by Rajiv Chopra — rajivchopra
Submitted by Bud — A Young Retirement
Submitted by Sherry Felix – Port4u
Submitted by Kate Illes — Kate – Photography
Submitted by Marsha Leith — CoolQuilting
Marsha says: Edited with Hipstamatic app.
Submitted by Khürt Williams — Island in the Net
Khürt says: My original thought was that I could replace the cloudy sky with something more dramatic. I wanted to layer in a background of a large moon or moons and space rock to give a feeling the this ship was docked on an alien ocean. But I could not find a suitable background so I opted for a simpler replacement with a bluer and less cloudy sky. The background image is by Matthew Kosloski who released it as a Creative Common Zero (CC0) image on Unsplash. I removed the buoy and rope and applied a personal preset to adjust the shadows, highlights, and contrast.
Submitted by Joanne Ritchie — Coffee Fuels My Photography!
Joanne says: Love carved figureheads on the bows of these old vessels, they are so intriguing, hence I wanted to highlight “Neptune’s wooden angel.”
Submitted by Emilio Pasquale — Photos by Emilio
Submitted by Marie — The Syllabub Sea
Submitted by Y. Prior — Priorhouse blog
Y. Prior says: For this month’s ABF, I first applied a “transfer” filter to the image. I then added some layers of water to give us a bit more water in the foreground. I wanted to add in scuba divers again this month, but the underwater divers seemed out of place and so I changed the divers to have them coming up for air. It seemed to work. I added in a distant moon on the horizon and left the darker tone in the moon to maybe work with the tone in the verticals on the ship.
Submitted by Yan Balczewski — From Hiding to Blogging
Submitted by Luis O. Gutierrez — luisogutierrez.com

Luis says: This is what I did –
Submitted by Michelle Lunato — Michelle Lunato Photography
Michelle says: For this month, I wanted to try something new but couldn’t figure out what that was. So, I took two prior techniques I have tried and combined them to see what happened….
Submitted by Ashleigh Pienaar — Through the Viewfinder
Please click on the links of those who contributed this week, to read about their post-processing steps and/or to see what other treasures they have on their blogs. They’d love to have you visit!
So what do you think of the ABFriday forum?
Feel free to leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section. And don’t forget to view the guidelines if you want to participate. I’d love to have you onboard!
WOW Stacy….. you did a great job with this photo. Wonderful 😀
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Aww, thanks, Cee 🙂
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I like your use of Topaz Impressions. Not overdone. And it looks like you picked up or added shimmering highlights on the side of the boat. Great work, as usual, Stacy. (I know I’m a lousy friend, commenting so late. But I’m working on getting better.)
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Hey, if you’re lousy, I’m down right horrible, Emilio! Hope to get round to everyone’s posts today. Don’t ever worry on account of me though. I still ❤️ you whether you comment or not 😃
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Sorry but I’m spoken for! 😉
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Darn …
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I love seeing all of these, looking at others work inspires me!
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Me too, Kate 🙂
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Great jobs ! Love particularly that of Marie for the choice of the detail !
Ciao ciao
Max
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Thanks, Max. And, yes, so cool that Marie chose to focus in so much on all those wonderful details!
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I really like your edit with the Topaz! I need to add that filter and play in LR more. I am in awe of all the edits. Holy smokes! There are some creative people on here! From icebergs to pelicans to 12 layers of blended wizardry. I need to step up my game:)
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Thanks, Michelle, and I so hear you! How I would love to have the know-how to create something so different 🙂
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I can create something once and then forget it a few months later. Then I am like….what did I do?
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Yup, me too 🙂
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At least we are not alone.
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I love the colors you brought out in this photo Stacy! Beautiful shot! 🙂 It’s fun to see everyone’s creativity.
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Thanks, Nic 🙂
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Very creative! Sorry I missed this month. 😦 So rare of me to miss this!
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We missed you!
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aw thanks! I missed it too!
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This is the link to mine…
https://rajivchopra.me/2016/09/02/one-photo-focus-september/
Superb edits on this one
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I agree, Rajiv! And I also updated your link on the post.
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Thanks!
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They are all astounding!!
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I agree 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
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WOW these edits are great…. I know what you mean Stacy, it is hard processing your own photo… when it is in a photography challenge. I have to say I love the edits where they have put the boat in icy conditions… It is so hard to choose which one is my favourite because they are all brilliant… but if pressured I would have to say the edit by Sherry Felix. Again many thanks Stacy for hosting this challenge… it is greatly appreciated…
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The light in Sherry’s is just breathtaking! And I am in awe over how she accomplished that!! So many wonderful visions to enjoy 🙂 And you’re so very welcome, Bren. I’m delighted you enjoy taking part!
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Lots of people did composites this month. I am not that talented or my ethics won’t let me (I am not sure which). Personally I liked Emilio’s and Marie’s the best of this group.
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I have no idea how those who did composites accomplished that, George! It’s always interesting to see what people envision 🙂
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Great edits…I am so glad I did remember to submit an edit this month!
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Me too, Marsha 🙂 (Though I am behind on replying and visiting … Labor Day weekend kept me wonderfully busy with family and friends!)
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These are sooo good!
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The creativity is definitely wonderful 🙂 Thanks so much for taking part, Leara!
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Oh no – sorry Stacy, time got away since returning from overseas last week and I totally forgot! Nice variety of edits as always.
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No worries, Chris! Hope you had a wonderful visit!
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Oops. I forgot this month….All fab edits, well done
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It’s difficult to keep up with everything, that’s for sure. Always appreciate when you find the time to join in, Julz 🙂
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I can’t believe I missed it, so much on
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