Beauty IS in the Eye of the Beholder

 The old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" rings so true when it comes to art and mood. I usually am drawn to subject and then color, but the darker , more vibrant colors are getting my attention first.
I have experimented this year with trying out different versions of the same subject.
With so many software editing tools to choose from, it can be habit forming.
Most artists are never  happy with their work and so it can be difficult to know when to stop.


Here are a few of  the images I have edited.See which ones you prefer.
The top painting was finished a few months ago. It is very soft but I thought it needed a little punch

so I added a dark background. I still have the original but the choice of styles seemed like a good idea.

The photograph of the Art Deco Dancer figure was interesting with the coloring and  shading 

The edited version was a little more dramatic with the darker background and neon colors.

The top image is the edited version of the one below it. I like it more than the original one..

 

 

My cat Buddy loves to sleep so many photos are of this subject matter. 
 he just refuses to look at me when I trying to snap his face. I can't decide which version I like more.

The last two versions are sepia tone and a little selected color styles. I like these as well. I guess it always depends on the mood of the subject and where it will be seen.
Beauty IS always in the eye of the beholder.

Please look at my art at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-stacie-siemsen/shop

Change is Good

 Almost every photo one sees today is Photoshopped or edited in some manner. I used to be against this type of manipulation but have come around to seeing the value in it.

Changing an image is the photographer's prerogative I suppose, but customers and admirers will send a message whether the changes are an improvement or not.

I recently walked with a group in a nearby park a few weeks ago. The Sunday afternoon crowds were starting to arrive so we began the walk down the gravel trail around the lake. Our first stop was atop a wooden footbridge where daydreamers gaze at the wonders of nature. This one image was altered to the final appearance. I'm pleased with the results as it reminds me of a painting.

This bottom photo is the original. I suppose it is acceptable but it felt uninspiring. what do you think?

We walked down a trail until another lake appeared. This one had wildlife and I snapped some photos.
The bottom of the swans on the lake scene is the original and the top is slightly altered. Not a very big difference but enough to make a difference I think. As photographers, we need and desire to impress the viewers. The top image pops a little more as there appears to be
some sunlight in the background and highlights the shore and tree line.

Here are two more sets I altered a number of years ago. The top was heavily saturated and the bottom was sepia toned. The resolution is too low for today's standards but which would you prefer?
I love color images, but sometimes a mood and subject matter requires very little. I seem to have a preference for footbridges, even back then.

I offer some of these images on my photo site . Stop by and see if there is something you like.