I shot some photos the last few days. The first were on a relatively sunny day and I was wanting to capture the nice grey-blue color of the lichens growing on some Oaks and on our chopped wood. I quickly learned they didn't lend themselves very well to being photographed because their surface was either absorbing the light, or, it was just bouncing off it with not much contrast to show it off; I'm not sure which it was. I'll include an example of a poor composition, one I think is better, then the one I prefer and why. I didn't end up with any amazing shots, in fact they're just so, so...but, you'll be able to see the difference.
I wanted to ask, too, if everyone has a basic editing program to use? Windows comes preloaded with "Windows Live Photo Gallery" and that's what I use to refine my photos. I'm working with Windows 7, but, I'm certain previous editions had it too. To use it you need to open your photos in that program. It's like being in a dark room where you would be able to manipulate the negative in various ways as needed. I'm sure Apple probably has a similar program, but, I don't have first hand knowledge of it. You didn't think all those National Geographic award-winning photos all came out looking perfect every time did you? Of course, the better the camera, the better the photo! The most important element is setting up the composition and being mindful of all the elements that go into it first and you shouldn't need to do much editing at all. I'm thinking most of our photos will require a bit of tweaking here and there. A very light touch is usually all it takes as I'm sure you've all seen some that were clearly over manipulated. The main thing to remember is that it's not "cheating" to use the editing program, it will become your most valued resource absent the dark room! Just remember to go lightly---very lightly, unless you're deliberately exercising your right to be creative!
I'll post the first photo showing a poor composition, then one that's a little better and then the one I would choose to keep.
