I always appreciate the generosity and love when I visit other photogs blogs and they share about their techniques both behind the lens and in front of the computer. This is something I have wanted to do as well but have been reluctant because I wasn’t sure anyone would really be interested in how I process images. If you fall into the category of “that just doesn’t interest me” please skip this post but if you are interested and find this helpful read on and please don’t be shy leave me a comment. Before I continue with this post please know that I am not an expert either behind the lens or in front of the computer… I am a person that is incredibly blessed to have been found by photography and I am amazed, grateful and touched each and everytime someone asks me to capture their moments. I have learned more from my mistakes and failures than from my successes and what I share may or may not be what a “text book” says should be done to an image but it’s what I’ve learned through trial and error.
This is the original image I shot at a recent Senior Shoot Session (thanks to Jake for his willingness to pose in the stream) The first thing I did to the image was clone out the children’s play set in the background.
Next, I used Yang in TRA’s Yin-Yang to brighten Jake’s face and hair then flattened layers
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Using the burn tool with a brush opacity of 40% I burned the shadows on the picture, the darker wood areas on the guitar and Jake’s shirt…flattened layers
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Next I ran TRA Green With Envy brushed over the grass, leaves and rocks at 40%, then flattened layers
Then I ran TRA Boutwell Magic Glasses at 100%, flattened layers
Next I ran TRA Select-O-Pop on the blue jeans and hair at 100%, the guitar at 50%, Jake’s face at 20%, flattened layers
Almost done…to warm up the image I used TRA Cinnamon Toast brushing back the face at 50% on the Warm Up layer, with the Warm Up layer set at 25%, the Levels Tweak layer set at 30% and the top Cinnamon Toast layer set at 55%.
The last step I did was to sharpen the image. So, that’s it and here is the before and after for comparison. Hope you like it. 
And if you liked reading how I processed this image and would like me to share more about how I process images please leave a comment (or email me, there is an email tab above) letting me know and I will do this again. Thanks!
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Oh, I appreciate you sharing! I need all the help I can get!
wow – thank you for sharing – thats an awesome before and after – i love the ones where the after looks more sharp and vibrant but not really more ‘photoshopped’ – just naturally good
I like!!
Would love for you to share more!! 
Maria, make sure you use everything in your power and skill and programs to make me look good at the wedding (you know, get rid of the double chin, 20 pounds lighter, porcelain complextion, etc etc. the list goes on and on. Ha-Ha!!! This was really interesting for me, the very inexperienced. It’s amazing what can be done. It was nice seeing you last Saturday at the bridal shower.
Love the tutorial, Maria! I don’t have TRA or even know what it is, but it’s very cool to see how you go about processing. Not only are you an awesome photographer, you have a very artistic eye and talent when it comes to editing. My son installed LR for me over a month ago, and each time I’ve attempted to edit with it, I’ve been so intimidated and perplexed that I just resort to cropping and saturating in iPhoto.
Thanks for sharing your tips and talent!!!
WOWOWOWOWOW! That’s awesome! I’m going to have to get those actions or try different things to get the same result maybe…Thanks so much for sharing that and I for one do care what you do on the computer!
Maria, I just got Elements, so I love your tutorial! Even though there are things that I know I can’t do, I can still get some good ideas from watching how you do things. When I first saw the original, I thought “What a great picture!” But seeing it next to the edit really shows how important editing is! Thanks so much…