One-to-three is a monthly photo processing challenge on my other web site, theSquirrelChase.com. I’d love to have you join in: The challenge is simple: take one photo and get creative with it by processing it three different ways. Then share the results, with a link in the comments to this month’s post. I’ll do a start up post on the first of each month, including a round up of entries from the preceding month, so we can all share in the creativity and fun.

Here’s my July 2022 contribution:

How to get the looks above:

I used the same landscape as I did on the Squirrel Chase, but for the above looks I used Topaz Studio 2.

One technique I used in all of them was to use a curves layer to dodge the white water. This is a simple way to add a bit of pop: Add the curves filter but don’t touch the curve itself, instead change the layer mode to screen, reduce the opacity of the layer to get the brightness the way you want it, then add a mask to the layer, invert the mask so it is all black then paint in the areas where you want the lighter color (or you can, as I did apply a luminosity mask and blacken the areas where you don’t want it). This works in Topaz Studio 2, but it can also be done in the GIMP or Photoshop.

For the first picture I applied the AI Remix filter. Then dodged, then applied a texture.

The second image uses a “look” that I created in TS2, then dodged it. My “golden angel” look includes increasing the clarity and brightening up shadows, then applying a couple of textures.

My third uses the TS2 Impression filter, the dodging and a border texture.

Challenge Background

Since having to isolate due to the pandemic, last spring, I’ve been doing a lot of experimentation with photo processing and I thought it might be fun to share some of the things I’ve discovered and see what others are doing.

I’m hosting the challenge on the other site to try and keep my WordPress.org skills alive.