Today would probably have been an opportune time to go out shooting but it didn't work out that way. I have been trying to improve my post processing skills, the flip side of photography. Rarely do great pictures happen only in the camera. It has always been the case that professional photographers have spent long hours perfecting images not only composing an image in camera but also in the darkroom. Nothing has changed in the  digital age except that we now use software instead of chemicals.

And, once images start to accumulate getting proactive in organizing them is critical. In my software development career I have seen more undertakings fail for an inability to manage data rather than gather it. Finding a workflow that produces not only great results but organized results is crucial to moving your photographic business forward.

So today was mostly about organizing photos - I had reached that critical point where it was counter productive to keep shooting otherwise. 

This wasn't a big bang experience. I have been thinking about it for a long time, churning it over in that lovely alpha mind state that happens drifting off to sleep. 

Processing is the second task in the triad of producing great pictures. My skills have been improving - I think. Today I took a picture that I really wanted to work but was disappointed in the raw image. It was taken a couple of weeks ago in Southern Ontario at the West Montrose covered bridge. This bridge is a big hit with photographers and when Carol and I arrived on the scene it was something the paparazzi would be familiar with. Grounds surrounding the bridge are all marked as private but there are those that feel exempt from such polite rules of engagement. Well I felt a bit embarressed by association to be there, camera in hand. My work was done hastily and so of course I was disappointed with the initial results.

Well this seemed like the perfect opportunity for some creative post processing and in the end I am pretty pleased with the result.

Check out my image of the covered bridge in my 'Structures' album. I'd appreciate your feedback.