Sometimes I am a Purist. Other Times I Play.

The mood of the approaching storm was better shown when I played with the contrast and colour of this image. Often the sky's definition can be lost to brightness. Recovering that definition can be done with various presets or playing with individual controls within Lightroom (or Photoshop). Changing up the colour can also enhance the image, depending on the feeling you are going for in your shot.

No matter, you still need something good to work with. Composing most or all of your shot in-camera is still the best way to go. What you add from there can in fact add to your image. Careful, as it can also take away from the shot. Finding the right balance requires thought and insight into what you want to say or show.

Sun, Moon and Stars

This shot reminds me of all three: sun, moon and stars. Sometimes the perspective we choose and the composition of the image can push our imagination further. When you take a picture consider what else might be there. Don't lock in to what it is; allow your mind to explore what it might be, even if only in your imagination.

You may have to pull the colour from your shot in order to move further away from the origin and make room for possibility.

Refreshingly Reflective

Ah, the fun with reflection! I could while away many hours playing with this kind of light.

My daughter brought home a glass bottle of Sprite yesterday, which I immediately asked for once she downed the contents.

Today, I placed the bottle on my dining table with the morning light behind it. Not satisfied with the initial and predictable shots, I challenged myself to think out of the box, to bring my creative thinking to a different level.

I tried focusing on many different points with my macro lens and in the end decided on this for an abstract feel.  Focusing in where the bottle meets the surface, I used f2.8 and 1/160 shutter speed.

Boots

I did not use any photo layering.
These boots were captured as they were.

Using reflection to create an image all on its own can be a great deal of fun and makes for an unusual if not interesting photo.

These boots were sitting on a hardwood floor. I noticed the reflection and began to play. What I ended up with was this image.

Reflection has a way of freeing the imagination to wonder.

Touch

Her cane enters first, then she. Already cloudy eyes begin to fill with memories. She crosses the room then stops.

A single tear finds it first. Gnarled and knotted, her finger slowly follows to wipe the drop then pulls back suddenly. Eyes now closed, she remembers it all.

The use of creative processing in my images, sometimes subtle, occasionally dramatic,  allows me to go further with inspiration into imagination than I would otherwise. Even now, as I look at this image, my wonderings go further into the imaginary woman's life, remembering along with her the grand performances with nimble fingers and amazing skills. How I wish to have known her.