Not Much Difference
I knew from the start that this would, after a normal edit, be a good storytelling photo. Even though it was backlit, in shadow late in the day, and with what could be distracting background elements.
I shoot RAW, an in-camera format that collects all the digital information for the photo without applying any edits. That means when I begin an edit in Photoshop Camera RAW, I can adjust the full spectrum of color, isolate details, and modify contrast.
That’s not much different from the processes I used in the days of film, before scanners and digital scanners. Becoming a darkroom wizard elevated your status in the newsroom. A good printer had a personalized collection of dodging and burning tools that could isolate any shape, object, or tone on a print. The same tools are used in Photoshop, but they are more sophisticated than the torn pieces of black paper for dodging and burning and the odd shapes of paper and tape at the end of a metal wire for dodging.


The Edit
When I edited this photo, the goal was to bring out the vibrancy and depth that the original RAW image didn’t fully capture. The first thing I adjusted was the color, deepening the blue in the sky to give it a richer, more dramatic look. I also enhanced the “8” sign, making it glow more intensely to draw attention to the marquee. Next, I worked on the brightness, lifting the shadows to reveal more detail, especially in the worker’s jacket, which now stands out more clearly.
I boosted the contrast to add more impact, making the blacks more profound and the text on the sign more defined. I also sharpened the overall image to highlight the finer details, giving it a crisper and more polished appearance.
The sky needed extra attention, so I refined it further to remove the washed-out look, creating a striking backdrop. These edits transformed the image into something more dynamic and engaging, making it better suited for storytelling and capturing the moment's energy.
I’ve been eating hearty food for the last several weeks. One thought was attempting to rebuild my biome after several rounds of antibiotics that weren’t selective in their choice of bacteria. If it was bacteria, it died, meaning my microbiome took a hit.
The choice of meals also falls within the prescription that for the microbiome to rebuild itself, the rest of my body must be strong and not stressed. Where I would not ordinarily heap chili over a place of mac and cheese, I risked the possibility of carb overload affecting my A1C level. A risk I was willing to take.
Mac & Cheese Meets Hearty Chili in a Delicious Fusion
Nothing spells comfort food quite like a steaming plate of mac and cheese, but the game changes entirely when it's topped with a rich, savory chili and a dash of spice. This combines two of America’s most beloved dishes: creamy, cheesy macaroni and slow-cooked, meaty chili.
Mac and cheese and chili are stand-alone comfort food champions, but their combination takes indulgence to a new level. The creamy, cheesy base complements the spicy, savory chili in a familiar and exciting way. It’s a pairing that appeals to food lovers of all ages, offering warmth on a cold day and a nostalgic reminder of childhood favorites—only with a gourmet twist.
Sliced jalapeños crown the masterpiece, offering a burst of color and a tantalizing hint of heat, balancing the dish's richness with a zesty kick.
The Good Thing That Happened to Me Today
I was fortunate to sit in on a small group presentation about Westerville school history. The presentation detailed the system’s origins in 1855 with a log cabin on East Home Street, its growth in 1866 by merging with Blendon and Sharon Townships, and its more diverse student population today as the district’s demographics changed. The presentation about WCS was far more complete than this little blurb. It’s a good thing that I continued to learn that I don’t know much despite how much I expand my knowledge.
My Final Photo News is a reader-supported publication. By becoming a free or paid subscriber, you receive new posts and play a crucial role in supporting my photography and commentary. Please subscribe to The Westerville News and PhotoCamp Daily.
My Final Photo News recommends its friends, Civic Capacity and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.