You have a great image but you want to make it better? What do you do?
You could retake the photo. Find the same location and similar subject and add something more to it the particulars of what you add is up to your own inspirational abilities, of course. But, you might want to add a variation on the viewpoint. Or perhaps, compose the subject a bit differently. Or even use warm up filters, different lenses or different lighting.
You could change the background to reduce clutter or unsightly objects. Or maybe add something that wasnt there previously like another person or part of the landscape. The choices are endless.
Having taken the first photo, it can sometimes give you inspiration. When you look at your final image, you may feel disappointed that it didnt turn out as you had intended. Returning to retake the image can pay dividends. And its a great learning experience as well. There is hardly nothing more satisfying in photography than producing the perfect image.
And this is where keeping all those poor images can reap rewards. If you dont trash anything then you can return to the subject at a later date for an even better image.
So, if you are a bit disappointed with some of your images dont despair. Plan to retake.
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com
