I never say "NO" to a challenge....

[Kris V]

The original picture was residing on my husbands' laptop. He e-mailed it to me with the a note: "Betcha you can't do anything with this picture"
Initially I agreed - it's awful.
Then I decided to accept his challenge - loser buys dinner.
I used plugins, filters, blending modes-anything I could think off, to get it a little more acceptable - and to get out of having to buy dinner.
It's still a bad picture ---- but he has to take me to dinner sometime this week!
Here is the original - probably taken about 7-8 yrs ago:


And this got me dinner at the place of my choice, since my husband agrees it looks better than the original:


So, do you agree that dinner is on him? Or do I need to buy? He conceded....

[FrankMi]

Smart man.

[Mark von Kanel]

dinners on him, but i bet he wasnt expecting you to think laterally!

[FrankMi]

LOL! I learned years ago to please my young lady as my first priority and she'll go out of her way to make me a happy camper!

[Kris V]

LOL! I learned years ago to please my young lady as my first priority and she'll go out of her way to make me a happy camper!

Works both ways - I should know. Next week we're celebrating our 48th anniversary.

[FrankMi]

Works both ways - I should know. Next week we're celebrating our 48th anniversary.

Good for you! We celebrate our 49th in two weeks.

[MrB]

Next week we're celebrating our 48th anniversary.

Kristianna,

Congratulations to you both.

Diplomacy aside, I would agree that you deserve dinner as, in my opinion, your creative approach has produced a better image, even though you think “It's still a bad picture”.

The challenge raises the sort of interesting questions discussed regularly on CiC and elsewhere, and often implied in the comments on the work of others. E.g. Can an image be good only if it is technically correct; what makes an image a good work of photo art; what makes one image better than another? etc., etc. So (anyone), would it be possible to make a good image from this photo?

Philip

P.S. Can I have a go?

[Kris V]

Kristianna,


P.S. Can I have a go?

Absolutely! Looking forward to it!

[Kris V]

Hi Kristianna:

I fiddled with this challenge, primarily done with layers, multiply, curves and levels. Here, with your permission, are two possibilities. Both are straightforward restoration and not artsy. For more definition they could probably use a bit of cloning as well.


Have a great dinner! Tell us where you went.

I think that it is a bigger challenge to restore a modern faded photo as compared one from the early age of photography, because we are so used to seeing “perfect” exposure and sharpness.

I think if this were my family photo I might go for the artsy rendition too.

Oh, gees, I like everyone, have many boxes filled with old photos, negatives and slides.

I shall never live long enough. . .

Thanks for another take on this picture.
I used the heavy vignetting, mostly because the surrounding trees did nothing whatsoever for the picture.

[Kris V]

Good for you! We celebrate our 49th in two weeks.

Where did the time go???????????????

[Kris V]

Am I the only one doing these crazy edits with pictures that are mediocre at best? Who else does?
Samples? Would be fun to see how others treat their rejects.
Besides: It's great practice in PhotoShop!

[Donald]

Am I the only one doing these crazy edits with pictures that are mediocre at best? Who else does?

All of us from time-to-time, I would guess.

[Viana]

Thanks for another take on this picture.
I used the heavy vignetting, mostly because the surrounding trees did nothing whatsoever for the picture.

LOL, I am “notorious” for using vignettes, so I did not this time. However, I absolutely agree. For me, this picture is a bit of a memory-lane, mood thing and the photo treatment should reflect that.

Am I the only one doing these crazy edits with pictures that are mediocre at best? Who else does?
Samples? Would be fun to see how others treat their rejects.
Besides: It's great practice in PhotoShop!

I generally do not do much super editing on my own “rejects.” I have several categories of pixs: Snaps and family shots; A picture is better than none; Good or great, possibly for framing, exhibition and sale.

I find that working on the photos of others is more useful for me. It helps both me and the other person.

[jiro]

Thought I'd give it a try if you may.



I hope I did not offend you on the edit.

[MrB]

Thank you Kris. Here it is -



Philip

[Kris V]

Thought I'd give it a try if you may.



I hope I did not offend you on the edit.

Most certainly not! I'm honoured!

[Kris V]

Thank you Kris. Here it is -



Philip

Cleaned up nicely.
I'm gonna keep ALL th edits - fur further reference. I'm still planning to do some more editing on it as well.
Thanks for all the feed back. Dinner is going to be at Gabby's BBQ Restaurant - one of my favorite places.

[Lon Howard]

Dinner is going to be at Gabby's BBQ Restaurant - one of my favorite places.

Totally off-topic Kris, but as a non-Texan and ex-Missourian, I'm really jealous. In these parts you have to go to a wedding or a civil war re-creation to get good BBQ!

Congrats on the win!

[Kris V]

Totally off-topic Kris, but as a non-Texan and ex-Missourian, I'm really jealous. In these parts you have to go to a wedding or a civil war re-creation to get good BBQ!

Congrats on the win!

We'll be pigging out on BBQ day after tomorrow!!!

[MiniChris]

We'll be pigging out on BBQ day after tomorrow!!!

I ate at a Gabby's BBQ somewhere close to Hobby Field a couple of years ago while awaiting a friend's plane...same Gabby's?