After-Before Friday and more
After-Before Friday and more
The photo I have chosen for After Before Friday, is one I took the other night. We went for a drive in the evening, hoping to catch that magical time of day. The desert here is amazing. So green and more plants and cactus than we normally see. This rock formation was great in the sunset light.
Here is my after editing photo.
And before any editing.
I did all the work in Lightroom. I have a Preset that is called Big Sky. It comes in 4 different strengths, and is always good for shots like this. I bumped up the vibrancy, and lightened up the whole image. I used the selective brush and highlighted a few of the cactus.
To see all the entries for After Before Friday, go here. (Live at 8 EST)
Here a few more photos from that same night. This is a chain fruit cholla cactus. Normally we see the teddy bear cholla, so these are different and quite a bit taller.
More sunset landscape photos.
I love the saguaro cactus, they are just awesome. This was one of the biggest, and by far the most unusual ones I have ever seen.
This our camp spot. Like I said, we are surrounded by huge trees, big bushes, and birds.
The birds are proving a little harder to capture in a photo though. I am trying to get the Gila woodpecker, the cardinal. and this tiny little yellowish guy that comes to the hummingbird feeder. The hummers…they are plentiful and so fun to watch. We have decided we need a bird feeder full of sunflower seeds or something.
And this is from Wednesday night. The moon was following the sun down. That bright star next to the moon is Venus.
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Have a great Friday, and a fabulous weekend!!
Stunning. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Wow, gorgeous images from the desert.. I love the first and last shots.. And the hummer is pretty.. Have a happy weekend!
Oh Mary, again, a spectacular collection of photos that are worthy of a magazine, AND POSTCARDS! Your “Light Room” program is really impressive. I have Photoshop, and have barely started to learn from a blogging friend how to use it. But the difference in your before and after sky shot is UNBELIEVABLE! You are having fun, aren’t you!!!!!
The moon and venus; what a pair. You and Al? A great pair. Thank you for this beauty on this COLD morning in Minneapolis! Anita
Lightroom is easier than Photoshop and I do a lot of editing with it. Ya, Al and are having a blast, living the life. And the moon and venus, I would say yes.
Maybe you need a gourd bird feeder to hang outside. Great pictures as usual. I like the rich afterward thingie you do with them. Very interesting cacti . Has Al painted anymore pics? He could try a humming bird.
He is a painting fool. And a hummingbird is on the list.
good for him! He has talent in many directions
I’m a fan of this giant cacti. This one looks a little like Elize, the ant eater I saw in TV at the Pink Panther Show :o)
I don’t think I’ve been to the desert, I hope to get there in 2015
You will love it!
I love how you brought out the richness in the sky, which enhanced the unusual cloud formations. All of the photos are beautiful. :)
just beautiful views of a strange and wonderful terrain. :)
That cactus is super-freaky! And the bird is adorable. :)
Absolutely breathtaking photos. I am seriously awestruck. I’m so grateful that you’re bringing all these wonderful scenes to us; chances are I’ll never get out that way to see them myself.
I love to hear comments like that. When I can bring something beautiful and special to someone, it’s all worth it.
OK…I thought the first photo was my favorite…until I got to the last photo. Now I am torn; I LOVE both! Such a beautiful place and I love the edits you have done to the photos. Happy weekend!
Oz
You can love them both, no need to choose.
I love seeing your world!
I would think you could easily make calendars for the different areas you are in with the beautiful photos and sell them in those areas.
I love that last shot the best. As for your before and after, the before was great. The after, that much greater. You’ve really brought out the lighting and that great sky!
Thanks. The moon shot was awesome. It was just perfect that night when the sun went down.
Love the effects you used! The cacti are really neat, almost like they can’t be real! Love Dolly
So pretty! And I absolutely love the humming bird. <3
Your photos are gorgeous as always.
Super nice! You are good with LR!!!! I love the after photo – such nice light!
Very nice After-Before Friday post. I really like what you did with the image and the explanation was clear and helpful.
Your editing skills are great! Thanks so much for explaining what you did!
Incredible pics
You did an excellent job editing that first photo. I’ve always wished I could do that well. The desert has always been very interesting to me mostly because I’ve never really been to one. Very good photos.
wonderful series of photos
that top photo truly changed with editing
it looks like a gorgeous place to wander around and explore
i love the 4th image down
have fun feeding the birds, i do
OMG!! These photos are amazing! It looks so peaceful, makes me want to get away and just live with the nature for a few days.
Great selection of photos, what an amazing place! The after photo is SO much better, it really brings out the feel of the hot, low desert sun illuminating the cacti! Very cool picture of the moon and Venus! :-)
So it’s not just your snapping skills that are wonderful, your editing skills can make a nice photo fantastic. What a beautiful place you are parked! I LOVE the hummingbird photo!
I’ve been slack about putting out my bird feeders this year, but we’ve still been seeing a cardinal. They are such beautiful birds, I’ll have to try to get a photo too.
BEautiful golden light. That last shot is stunning!
Mary, what stunning photos! Your preset provides a great foundation from which to “tweak”! I’m not a camper but I can understand the draw when I see the scenery you’re surrounded with. Thanks so much for being a part of ABFriday :)