Feb 7, 2025 | By: Pawtraits by Nicole
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes between the session and the final image? Let me take you on a quick journey with this image of a gorgeous blue merle Border Collie enjoying the water.
In the raw image, we see a beautiful moment—natural lighting, a Border Collie in a classic herding creep, and the reflection on the water. While the photo captures the essence of the moment, it was taken shortly after high tide, leaving the beach cluttered with distracting elements. The dog's tongue was out, and the reflection felt overwhelming, taking away from the overall impact. The image, as it is, just doesn’t have that wow factor.
I made some thoughtful edits to bring out the best in this scene. I performed a jaw swap using another image, creating that intense, serious expression to match the Border Collie’s herding stance. I also removed many of the distractions from the beach as well as the reflection for a cleaner, more polished look. Ideally, I’d love to start with a perfectly clean beach, but sometimes I have to work with the environment I’m given—and this was one of those times. The result is a transformation that elevates the photo from a good snapshot to a stunning piece of art, without it feeling overly edited or fake.
Editing isn’t about changing the story of an image; it’s about enhancing it. My goal is to showcase the unique character of every dog I photograph, ensuring each image reflects their personality and beauty in the best possible way.
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2 Comments
Feb 7, 2025, 10:54:25 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Tracy!
Feb 7, 2025, 10:12:40 AM
Tracy Munson - Beautiful, subtle editing to enchance this dog portrait!