Making the ordinary portrait, extraordinary! Your images start with the photo shoot, but before they are ready to be displayed, all images are edited in Photoshop. For some images, this is limited to color correction and cropping. For many portraits, there are some corrections of stray hairs or acne. This sort of touch-up is part of our standard service.

Once that is done, some images receive additional artistic effects. I have searched the Internet, community libraries and local bookstores to find Photoshop techniques and plug-ins that I can use to enhance the mood and emotion of images. The end result can turn a simple photo into a work of art. We know that art is always in the eye of the beholder, so you always have a choice of the altered or the original images.

Here, we show examples of what can be done. These images that have been processed in Photoshop. We have a wide range of textures and techniques, so if you would like something different, don't be afraid to ask. We love to experiment and learn, so who knows, we may just end up with another photograph to show on this page. To see the original image, drag the green handle back and forth.

Engagement Ring - selective focus

We accentuate the selective focus in the original. The tenderness of the hands and the new engagement ring shows us everthing that we need to know about this couple.

Monochrome - beyond black and white

As a first edit, we started with a small rotation to level the image. Next, we draw you attention to the subject by vignetting and adding a rich brown tone. As I learned in the darkroom, there is much more to monochrome that shades of gray. With digital processing, I have much more control over the results that I did with enlargers, developer and dyes.

Extra color - added punch

Extra color makes this photo stand out. With the added texture and aging effect, this looks a bit like an old color print found in an old desk drawer. We took care to keep her skin tones free of false color and any of the grungy textures.