The Quest For the Perfect Photograph

Good Morning, For most of us, it can be frustrating when we see “perfect” photographs out there on the Internet. Don’t you find yourself asking, How could everything in that photograph be so perfect? There aren’t any power lines anywhere. I can’t spot an ill-placed parked car. There’s no bright yellow sign that says, ‘No Trespassing’, marring the perfect mountain landscape (like my last shot…). Post-processing has elevated to a point where we actually believe that places like this exist. (Well, maybe they do in the Patagonia region of Argentina, or in Siberia, but not where most of us ever set foot.) Perfection doesn’t, and won’t, exist where most of us are going to get the opportunity to take pictures. Does this mean that the “possibility” of the perfect photograph is out of reach for us? Definitely not my friend, take a look at this… This photograph is a possibility for any of us. We take a beach vacation. We get up early, and we walk down to the beach with our camera to photograph the gorgeous sunrise that we’ve witnessed the last day or so. [Photograph by Horia Varlan]( Then, when we come home with our photograph- this is what we actually captured- because this is reality. What do we need to get from point A to point B? Let me tell you a story, as told to me by Kent DuFault. This happened back in the 1990s when Kent was operating a highly successful commercial photography studio. Photoshop was in existence; but it was in its infancy. While many photographers had purchased a copy, they really couldn’t do much with it yet. Putting Photoshop to actual use, at that time, required hiring a high-end photo lab, graphic arts firm, or an advertising agency. Kent had acquired a new client. This company wished to have a photograph taken in their high-tech laboratory. Kent was hired, and he went about the process of creating an image for his client. Here were the requirements of his photo shoot… - The area had to be meticulously clean - It had to have a high-tech vibe - It needed to highlight not only the equipment- but also the scientist - It needed to be shot on medium format transparency film (this was in the pre-digital days) Kent, and his photo assistants, spent the better part of half a day setting up, lighting, and executing this shot. When Kent got his film back, at first he was very happy, and then he noticed something that totally ruined his day. Someone had left a roll of gaffer’s tape on the floor behind the model. In their excitement to get the shot- they had all missed it. Kent said, “It blew my mind. How could I have missed that roll of tape on the floor? There were at least six people standing around watching-- while that photograph was being created-- and no one noticed the roll of tape!” This is where things got really ugly, because Kent couldn’t deliver this photograph to the client, and the client would never be amenable to a re-shoot. He had to pay a very expensive photo lab to retouch the roll of tape out of the picture, and then record it onto a new piece of film. Needless to say- he made no money on that job. This story is pertinent to you because there is good news now. The digital era has advanced to the point where we no longer have to pay someone else lots of money to bring perfection to our photographs. We can do it ourselves. We can even bring perfection to our mobile photography! When Kent and I talked about the idea of bringing perfection to a photograph, I asked him, “What is a major step toward that goal?” His response was immediate and straightforward. “Learn the art of masking in post-production”. I then responded, “Can the average person learn that art and apply it to their photographs?” “Absolutely!” He said. So, he wrote us a Premium Guide, and it’s titled: “The Next Step To Perfect Photography – Understanding Masking In Post-Production”. I read it, and here are just a few of the things that I learned… - That masking can be used to add something to a photograph, remove something from a photograph, blend different photographs, or even partially alter something in a photograph! - That you can use all kinds of masks to create a new picture that you didn’t even have in your mind when you took the original- - That masks are often operating in the background, and I didn’t even know that was happening! (This is especially true in Lightroom.) - That masks are completely editable- even the masks that are being created in the background. - I learned how to use masking in Photoshop, Lightroom, Adobe Elements, and even in one of my mobile phone photo apps! After reading this new guide- I was amazed at how much it added to my abilities as a photographer. Plus, my work took on an entirely new meaning. I was no longer reliant on “simply what was there in front of me”. I could make it better, and more like I wanted it to look like! I could achieve photo perfection. Can you tell that I’m really excited about this new guide? I know, for so many of you, this is going to push your photography into a realm that you didn’t even consider. Truly… I’ve rambled on. (So excited.) Tomorrow, I’ll give you more details about this Premium Guide Re-launch and the special offer. Cheers, Brett P.S. If you wish, you can learn more right now – [CLICK HERE](           [ Want a quick way to learn the basics of photography? Grab our best-selling collection of cheat sheets: [The Snap Cards]( If you missed out on your set last time, they’re available again and on-sale right now. Plus there's a sweet bonus that expires at midnight. Don't miss out! 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