Have you ever had a photo that isn’t technically successful, but it still resonates with you? Maybe it’s not a masterpiece, but you can’t bring yourself to delete it even though it’s a bit blurry or out of focus. For some reason, that “poor” pet photo still holds a special place in your heart. [Revised June 2025]
That’s how I felt about a series of photos I took after Dot Kitten crossed the Bridge. One of my student’s families gifted me a bouquet of flowers and I took countless photographs of those stunning blooms, including some precious shots with Thomas. But the original of this image was darker and far from satisfactory! I knew it could be enhanced a little without diminishing the feel of the photo.
The lack of quality gave me a moment’s hesitation. The flowers are nicely on focus and Thomas definitely was not when I took the photo. I studied the picture for a while and then edited a copy of the image, (Never use an original digital copy).
I looked at the editing tools I have in my software. You will find your editing software has dozens of options. So, what could I do to adjust the photo and make Thomas look brighter to match the gorgeous flowers? After some careful thought, I did a few very simple edits:
- I loaded the photograph into Affinity Photo and adjusted the contrast,
- Then dodged Thomas so he looks a bit brighter and comes out of the shadows,
- Result? A successful edit of a loved portrait I am happy with.
I am going to search for the original image of Thomas in my archives so you will be able to compare it (it may take a while!). So, the lesson from this? Don’t let anyone tell you when a photo works or when it is a poor pet photo. The choice is yours. Work on a digital copy to try any enhancements and, in necessary, ask for help from someone more experience with photo editing.
The only photos that can’t be brought back at those that are very blurry, or very under or over exposed. A paper image can be scanned to create a digital copy and you may find yourself able to enhance an image like Dash’s here. Dog-eared and very yellow the original paper version has been adjusted to a more golden tone, and I created a portrait with several layers.
I managed to rescue a rather poor pet photo and if I can do it, you can too. What old photo will you start with?
STOP PRESS: We have learned today of the passing of Valentine’s mom Kerry Barbero of Noir Kitty Mews and will write further next week. For now, like may we are stunned and very VERY sad.
That are wonderful photos. I’m very sad about the loss of Kerry. I got to meet her at Blogpaws and I will always be thankful for that.
Brian’s Home ~ Forever
So upset Brian and Terry. She was a fine lady.
Looks lovely!
I love those photos! This is very helpful to me, as I cannot stand to delete even bad photos; they are all memories of my kitties. So I have a zillion to edit, hopefully I will one day get to them all …
We are so sad and sorry to learn of the loss of Kerry.
Yoore a geeneuss with fotoss Miss Marjorie!!
Thomas an flowerss look beeuteefull.
***nose rubss*** BellaDharma an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
That’s a beautiful photo!
Yay, it let us comment. It hasn’t been doing that lately!
wavez two ewe naybor cat thomaz frum acrozz de pond nayborz in trout towne….frank lee we think yur fotoz awesum; N speekin oh awesum how total lee awesum mum getted thoz flowers for dot ♥♥♥♥♥
Thank you tabbies. Much appreciated.
Yup, I found some of Pipo with Angel Minko today, and a lot of them would have been perfect…but…for camera shake or bad focus…and those pics were taken with a camera I don’t use anymore…and it had limited capacity for making good pics…well, it was harder to do things with that camera. Still pics were mostly great, but animals are harder.
But they are all still there…not deleted!
Thomas is sure bemused with those pretty flowers!
It’s a darling photo! I have a hard time deleting any photos of my cats through the years because they’re precious to me even if they aren’t perfect. They represent a moment in the life of my babies.
Thomas iss so ahnsum an hee compleementss THE flowerss so well.
You tooked a lovelee foto Miss Marjorie…
**purrss** BellaDharma
Thank you Miss Belladharma!
Another helpful tip! Thanks Miss Majorie. Mom comes across lots of photos she’s taken of me that are fuzzy, but she can’t bring herself to delete them, ’cause they come with memories. Purr purr purr.
CONCATS for receiving Certificate of Excellence Awards from CWA! Hugs and purrs!
Beauty is in the eye, and the sentiment it brings with it. A great picture and lots of life and colour.
Purrs
ERin
It’s true. What makes a photo good is if it somehow touches the observer. Thanks for reminding us, Marjorie!