Before and After: Getting to Know Brightness and Contrast

I received a Before and After photo submission a while back by a great Seattle jewelry designer, A Cup of Sparkle. The improvements are noticeable between the two photos she sent, but then I suggested going a step further!


acupofsparkle via Etsy

Before: 
  • Background texture competes with the delicate wire wrapping
  • Photo is just a little bit too far away - details are lost
  • Not sure if that's a flash or sunshine hot spot in the upper left?

After:
  • Creative composition is simple with just enough interest
  • Pleasing angle shows off the full length of the pendant
  • Wire wraps and pearls are featured in the close-up composition

Taking it a few steps further -- improving an already good photo

First, we crop the photo just a bit more to really focus on the pendant:


This is what we have after cropping:


So close you can almost reach out and touch it!

Then, to take it just that little bit further, I adjusted the brightness and contrast
to reduce the gray overcast and make the garnet *sparkle* :)

Ooooh! Shiny!

Looking for great FREE photo editing software? Check out this comparison article: http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/reviews/28760.aspx

My personal favorite is Paint.net - it works a lot like older versions of Photoshop Elements
I used it quite a bit before I finally grabbed my wallet and bought Photoshop Elements 9 :)

What is your favorite photo editor? Why do you like it? 
Please leave a comment below!


3 Response to "Before and After: Getting to Know Brightness and Contrast"

Tsuki aka LittleGrayFox said...

those look great!

i have photoshop cs right now. but in a pinch, i use picnik.com :)

A Cup of Sparkle said...

Marlo, thanks for sharing the wire-wrapped pearl, crystal necklace from my ETSY shop. I think the difference between the photos are amazing. I love the last photo and posted on my shop. Thanks again!
acupofsparkle.blogspot.com

kimmy said...

oh this is a great blog. i just discovered it through my my TRASHION team captain Pam. i love to use Fotofuze.com its the best site to clean up white backgrounds. took my photos from blah to fantastic!! xo kimmy izzabellarose.etsy.com and bellavioletta.etsy.com you can pick out the items i fused and the ones i didnt in a flash. but i am going to keep reading your blog for more tips!!

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