Here we are already at a new month for the One Four Challenge. Hosted by Robyn over at her blog,“Captivate Me”, this is all about processing an image in four different ways over 4 weeks. for the month of June, I am working with another photograph I have taken of two old books found in my loft recently.
For the first week, I set up this still life on my dining table. I wanted it to be a bit dark and mysterious, so I first edited the image with a slight crop, then exported it into Nik Vivexa to bring out a bit of texture. I then exported the result into Color Efex. First up, Pro Contrast to give it a tad more oomph. then I added a low key filter which made the whole thing dark. I mainly wanted to darken the chairs in the background a bit because they were still a little bright, so I decided to learn something new.
At last, I had a go with the Control points, to remove some of the effect of the filter from the areas where I didn’t want it. Can you believe I have had this programme for a good 9 months and more and never used it to its proper capability. Well, you know now! I never thought I understood the thing, but I should have played around with it before. Still a long way to go, but its a start.
So here is Week One…
June Week 1
And this is the image prior to adjustments (other than very slight cropping):
June original
And now I have to decide where to go next with this. Anyway, whilst I ponder, you can see more One Four over at Robyn’s blog here.
WordsVisual 
You have deffinetly got the texture and the white balance in the image working nicely. I personally would lighten the shadows a touch to bring in some more detail.
That may come! Thanks for your comment, Ben!
I’m very much looking forward to looking and learning as I follow you through this challenge. The only post-processing I’ve done is cropping, straightening and lightening. So I have a huge amount to learn. I really like your subject, and seeing the before and after. I’d have thought wonderful about the original photo. So I have to say wonderful+ for the first processing!
Goodness, Meg, with that praise I shall have a lot to live up to! 😉
Sue I don’t know a lot about editing but I know I like the more crisp and detailed image. Likely not the right technical terms. I love the way you have set the shot up in the first place. A very romantic feel.
Thanks, Sue – glad you enjoyed this. I think I should have perhaps posted a slightly larger file as the detail isn’t as clear as it could be… 😕
A very pleasing image, Sue. Enjoy playing around with it. 🙂
Thanks, Sylvia 🙂
I love this image Sue, it’s really atmospheric, looks as if the reader just popped out of the shot, 100 yrs ago! I like the deep mysterious shadows….
Thanks! Glad you like those shadows…gave the atmosphere I was looking for 🙂
I really like the scene you set up, the flower gives it such a beautiful sweet touch. You did a nice job lightening in just the right spots for this first edit. I really like it. Interested to see where you go with it…always interesting to see where everyone chooses to dive to next.
Thanks, Carrie…the lighting was side light from the window, then post-processing to enhance the effect 🙂 (no idea what I shall do next!!)
I don’t know. I think this is perfect and will commit right now to saying, no matter what you do you will not improve upon this image. Now, prove me wrong!
Many thanks for your fulsome praise, Emilio!! I have to say that I probably can’t do a lot to improve on this (I don’t have the skills), so I will probably move away from the photograph per se and do some arty effect stuff… 😀
Fine by me. How can you improve on this? 🙂
😀
Wonderful image Sue, so much potential, cant wait to see what you do next
Thanks Julz – see my response to Emilio…. 😀
I agree with Emilio. Hard to better the top photo Sue. It looks like a 17th century Dutch painting.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete! If it looks like a 17th century Dutch painting, then I have achieved my aim of creating an atmosphere of something from the past!
Old books have a bit of mystery to them and your edits have really brought this out, Sue. Watching what you are doing with the Nik suite as I am learning too😊
Hey ho, it’s good to learn off each other! 🙂
you mean this one?
Yep
I did. It looks really great in this processing.
Thanks, Paula! 😀
Excellent photo Sue! 😀 Very beautiful setup and light as well! Still life photography is quite hard but you definitely have the eye for it! Would like to see more variations of this setup, different light, playing with shadows etc 🙂
Many thanks, Alex! When I have more energy, I plan to do some more variations of this! 🙂
What a wonderful loft you must have! Such a wonderful image to work with. I like both versions – maybe even the ‘au natural’ one better…
The loft is pretty ordinary, and this was the only surprise….oh, and there were a few bits of ornaments etc, might make a still life of those, too
I think I’m with Emilio on this one, Sue. It’d be a shame to mess with the photo you have created. It definitely has something special. Even I can see it! 🙂
Thank you, Jo! 🙂
Sue, this image is so beautiful that I think you should stop now! It is perfectly lovely.
Thank you! But I have to do 3 more weeks!! 😳
I know… but really, it’s just gorgeous.
Really glad you like it, Wildsherkin (I don’t know your name!)… See my replies to Emilio as to what I might do next…..
Hi Sue, looking forward to seeing what’s next. Patsy
Don’t get too excited, Patsy!
what secrets lie within the page!! Love!!!
I thought you would like this, Cybele! Suitably mysterious for you… 🙂
🙂
I really like how you have processed this photo. It brings out that feeling of old time and objects from a different time period.
Thanks, Otto – glad it came across that way 🙂
That lovely old book looks just fascinating. Is it a hand written diary? Your processing has certainly given it an antique look and by darkening the chair it puts all the emphasis on the book and that delicate daisy like flower.
Many thanks, Pauline – pleased you like it! The book is actually a bible, with a few pages of notes appearing to have been written in the 19th century about the person’s antecedents in the 18th century. All very fascinating…..
Oh its an old bible… Such a treasure!
🙂
Fascinating Sue. Is it a family relic and the notes about your family?
Haven’t a clue who these people were….
:)…
darken the chairs in the background = good idea!
Thanks, Frizz! 🙂
Sue, this is a wonderful still life. Gorgeous OLD books – texture.. and love the flower? Draped across it. Can almost smell them. Snifffff!!
The studded chairs (and leather) in the background give this a Shakespeare feel for me. Love it!
How great too that youre discovering more about your software. Awesome!
This image really grabbed my attention 😃😃
Many thanks, Robyn! The bonus for me with this edit was finding out a bit more regarding software, and the fact that if I can’t get out I do think I’m developing skills in setting up still-life photographs in the house…..
It is fun learning isn’t it Sue. I always enjoy it too.
It is nice to have choices and if we are limited, its great to be able to work within our own space.
I love your setup – especially this week. Such a nostalgic feel to it.
Keep doing it 😃😃
Thanks for your encouragement, Robyn! 😀😀
Truly a pleasure Sue 😃
😀
A fascinating picture and a great edit – it really emphasizes the age of the books. 🙂
Thank you! That’s what I set out to do 🙂
absolutely beautiful still life photo and your edit ages it very delicately.
Many thanks..I was pleased with what I managed to achieve 🙂
Just love what you’re doing with these challenges Sue !
Thanks, Poppy! 🙂
Dear Sue, first of all sorry that I didn’t visit your blog. But I noticed that I wasn’t informed by WP. So I corrected this now. Your all June photographs are amazing and all of them has a great touches. Fascinated me. But there is one of them, (maybe because of my love about old books) impressed more than others. You did great photographs… As if I can smell its oldness… I loved so much. Thank you, have a nice day and weekend, love, nia
Nia, what a lovely comment! WordPress has a habit of dropping people off my Reader, and I don’t always notice… I’m reall pleased you enjoyed my old book, I may be posting more sometime. Have a lovely weekend, Nia! xx