i would process on the phone only photos that i took with the phone and 90% of it is cropping and straightening. i do understand the need of keeping up with schedules but on the other hand you don't owe anybody anything so don't put pressure on yourself, just do it on your own time, being tired is good to nobody.
Really good to read how you approached editing these images Erik.
Everybody has a different way of working and I like the results you have achieved especially the shots you have reprocessed on the computer. I never use the phone editor - mainly because the screen is so small and I don't want to feel pressured to put out work I am not happy with.
I always approach processing as if I was painting, the only difference being that I am working on an image that already exists instead of a blank canvas. I tend to highlight areas that I want my viewer to notice and diminish the ones that are less important. To me it is about achieving a flow and balance between tones and light across the scene and I cannot do this on the phone.
I understand the pressure to put out work, but I have come to realise that it is better not to post work that is rushed and to only put out the images that I really like. In the end this makes your portfolio of published work much stronger. 🙂
Those are great points, Gill! I really like thinking of processing like painting on an image that already exists.
My approach has been to put my best work on my own website and haven't thought of social media as being a portfolio. I know the phone images are rough. Usually these are photos I never intend to do anything else with, but in this case some of them were worth re-considering. Perhaps I need to be more selective in what I share on social? That is, after all, where most people see my work. Something to think about.
Erik, I really enjoyed reading about your editing process. My older Nikon doesn't have bridge so I can't edit my photos on my phone with Lightroom. I do use Lightroom on my desktop. I've been using it forever it seems. I always really enjoy your work. It's okay to not post if you are feeling off or tired. I remind myself often that my Substack is on my terms and my timeline.
Hi, interesting to read your thoughts on editing. I’m currently pursuing a phone-only photography project and enjoying how it pushes me creatively. However, I almost always wait to edit till I can get to my big screen. I do experiment with editing on the phone (eg when stuck on a train, as now), but I just can’t do as good a job on a small screen.
The joy of Substack is posting what you like, when you like. Look forward to reading more when you’re ready!
Thanks for reading Jane! I sort of like the ability to edit on the phone when I can't get to my computer, but you're right- its not nearly as good on the small screen. Its like I mentioned, though. Sometimes timeliness seems important. In the case of these moon photos, I wanted to post them the day of the full moon, but I knew I wouldn't have a chance to edit them on the computer for a couple more days at least!
I know what you mean… we recently had a rare sighting of the aurora in the south of the UK. So many images were being shared in excitement online that if you hesitated a few days, the moment would surely have passed!
Erik, you convinced me - don't use the phone app. The edits done on the computer were so much better. And I love that tree portrait - you have retained a beautiful softness to the tree. It may even be slightly out of focus given the grass in the foreground is in focus? Either way, it's an incredibly evocative image.
i would process on the phone only photos that i took with the phone and 90% of it is cropping and straightening. i do understand the need of keeping up with schedules but on the other hand you don't owe anybody anything so don't put pressure on yourself, just do it on your own time, being tired is good to nobody.
Yeah, great points Perfectlight. Creativity and schedules are a tough balance!
Really good to read how you approached editing these images Erik.
Everybody has a different way of working and I like the results you have achieved especially the shots you have reprocessed on the computer. I never use the phone editor - mainly because the screen is so small and I don't want to feel pressured to put out work I am not happy with.
I always approach processing as if I was painting, the only difference being that I am working on an image that already exists instead of a blank canvas. I tend to highlight areas that I want my viewer to notice and diminish the ones that are less important. To me it is about achieving a flow and balance between tones and light across the scene and I cannot do this on the phone.
I understand the pressure to put out work, but I have come to realise that it is better not to post work that is rushed and to only put out the images that I really like. In the end this makes your portfolio of published work much stronger. 🙂
Those are great points, Gill! I really like thinking of processing like painting on an image that already exists.
My approach has been to put my best work on my own website and haven't thought of social media as being a portfolio. I know the phone images are rough. Usually these are photos I never intend to do anything else with, but in this case some of them were worth re-considering. Perhaps I need to be more selective in what I share on social? That is, after all, where most people see my work. Something to think about.
I'm grateful for your insight. Thanks!
Erik, I really enjoyed reading about your editing process. My older Nikon doesn't have bridge so I can't edit my photos on my phone with Lightroom. I do use Lightroom on my desktop. I've been using it forever it seems. I always really enjoy your work. It's okay to not post if you are feeling off or tired. I remind myself often that my Substack is on my terms and my timeline.
I really appreciate that Pamela! My terms and my timeline is some great advice. I'm very guilty of putting too much pressure on myself.
Erik, I get it it. I put too much pressure on myself too, but I am finally learning to step back more from that pressure to create. It’s important.
Very true!
Hi, interesting to read your thoughts on editing. I’m currently pursuing a phone-only photography project and enjoying how it pushes me creatively. However, I almost always wait to edit till I can get to my big screen. I do experiment with editing on the phone (eg when stuck on a train, as now), but I just can’t do as good a job on a small screen.
The joy of Substack is posting what you like, when you like. Look forward to reading more when you’re ready!
Thanks for reading Jane! I sort of like the ability to edit on the phone when I can't get to my computer, but you're right- its not nearly as good on the small screen. Its like I mentioned, though. Sometimes timeliness seems important. In the case of these moon photos, I wanted to post them the day of the full moon, but I knew I wouldn't have a chance to edit them on the computer for a couple more days at least!
I know what you mean… we recently had a rare sighting of the aurora in the south of the UK. So many images were being shared in excitement online that if you hesitated a few days, the moment would surely have passed!
I love the buck photos. I love all the photos! That foggy water is so enchanting 💗
I was surprised by how well these turned out! Thanks Kristi!
Erik, you convinced me - don't use the phone app. The edits done on the computer were so much better. And I love that tree portrait - you have retained a beautiful softness to the tree. It may even be slightly out of focus given the grass in the foreground is in focus? Either way, it's an incredibly evocative image.