As much as I like to always try to ‘get the shot right in camera’, I must confess that I often like to experiment (or play around) with images once I’m in my Digital Darkroom.

Over the last 15 years I’ve tried lots of effects in the name of trying to ‘enhance’ my photographs.  In more recent years I’ve found that I need to spend less and less time working on images, though I still like to try new things every once in a while.

One thing that I sometimes alter is the colours.  This can include giving the image a cross-processed look; partially desaturating some of the colours; or deliberately choosing a ‘wrong’ white balance setting as part of the RAW conversion process.

Take this photo of Mel, for instance, which was taken using studio flash.  I chose the Tungsten white balance setting to introduce a blue look to the whole image.  I then gave her skin a bit of an Amy Dresser skin treatment (Google it) to take out more of her natural colour.  It’s a look that is sometimes used in fashion images.  Has it worked?  Well, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I quite like it…

Have fun with your photography and don’t be afraid to experiment!

(Click to enlarge)