DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Stuck in editing a landscape photo? Try turning it upside down

Sep 4, 2018 by Dunja Djudjic 3 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

There are some photos that just make you feel stuck while you try to figure out the best way to edit them. I’m sure we’ve all been here so many times. But Jonathan Lee Martin suggests a simple trick: turn that photo upside down! In this video, he explains why this method works and gives you an example of how he edited one of his own images using this technique.

To put it simply what happens when we observe a photo: we tend to impose our own “cartoonish” preconceptions on the subjects that we can identify in an image. For example, we see a valley, a mountain, a river or a cloud. When we turn the photo upside down, we don’t see these items any longer. Instead, we see lines, shapes, curves, and lighting.

Jonathan points out that rotating the photo helps him see composition, shapes, and lighting as he loses these “childish preconceptions.” He notices compositional issues, but on the other hand also sees the S-curves and M-curves that add artistic value to the image.

In the video, he shares a photo he remembers that first got through this “treatment.” He was captivated by the scene he photographed but got stuck when trying to edit the photo. And as he admits, he got stuck for about a year. So, he tried applying the “upside-down technique,” and immediately noticed the issues and the good sides:

  • The green in the foreground is too vivid and steals the attention
  • The darkened clouds also steal the attention from the cabins and the mountains
  • Compositionally, he was satisfied but figured out that the editing job he did didn’t work

After seeing all these problems and good sides, Jonathan figured out what he needed to change in the editing job to make the best out of the image.

Another technique that can work as well is flipping the image horizontally. Just like turning it upside down, this can also give you a different view and the fresh perspective on the photo you’re working on. When you look at the photo for a long time, you kinda get attached to it. Flipping it helps you reestablish objectivity and see the photo with different eyes.

I find Jonathan’s tip pretty interesting, and I believe it can be effective. I haven’t used it before, but I’ll make sure to try it out next time I get stuck while editing a photo.

What about you? Have you used this technique and did it work? And do you have your own techniques to recommend?

[Struggling With a Photo? Turn It Upside Down! via FStoppers]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

If you have a lens with a stuck on filter, try attacking it with a band saw If you’re stuck at home with nothing to do, try working on your macro photography 5 simple camera & editing effects you should definitely try Photographers recreate classic Top Gun scene with upside down jet to test a photography myth

Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: editing tutorial, Jonathan Lee Martin, landscape photographer, landscape photography, photo editing tips, quick editing tip

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« Godox adds 1/10th stop increments and Pentax X system flash support
Fujifilm X-T3 specs leaked: 4K at 60fps, blackout-free EVF at 30fps, better battery life »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Freewell K2 is yet another magnetic filter holder system
  • Apply to this Maldives resort to ‘win’ a 3 week job as Honeymoon photographer
  • Reviving a Legend: Repairing a Mamiya RB67
  • Sony’s ZV-E1 is a cut-down FX3 in a vlogging form factor
  • Watch: How good (or bad) is an $8.50 tripod?

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy