As photographers it can be instructive to go back through some old files and attempt some do overs in post processing. A lot has changed over the past number of years with more software programs using AI (artificial intelligence) technologies. Sometimes these advancements in software can make a significant difference, especially with images captured with small sensor cameras. Do overs can be very beneficial.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

I went back to some photographs captured handheld at the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory in February 2017. I ran a selection of them through my standard approach in post which now includes Topaz Sharpening AI or Topaz Denoise AI.

All of the flower and butterfly images in this article were created using a Nikon 1 J5, 1 Nikkor 30-110 mm f/3.8-5.6 zoom, and a stacked pair of extension tubes… the MOVO 16 mm and 21 mm.

While a macro lens was originally planned for the Nikon 1 system it was never produced. To facilitate close-up photography I typically used a Nikon 1 J5 with the 1 Nikkor 30-110 mm f/3.8-5.6 zoom lens along with one or two extension tubes.

While not an ideal solution for macro-type photography, I found that combination of camera gear was a lot of fun to use and produced some pretty decent results. Use of extension tubes did cause some loss of light and increased related image noise. I was interested to see how my do overs in post would handle the increased noise.

When attempting these do overs in post I was quite pleased with the revised results. The addition of using Topaz Sharpen AI helped deliver more image sharpness as well as improve high ISO noise reduction.

As I was working on these do overs in post this morning it occurred to me that do overs in other parts of our lives can be more difficult to accomplish.

Sometimes we can become estranged from family and friends. A chasm can be created that keeps us apart. The reasons for which can become blurred over time. Human memories fade with time, and recollections become obscured.

Do overs in our personal lives can be far more complicated and difficult to address than working on some old photography files in post. Each of us face our own unique set of challenges with these situations.

Often someone has to take the first step to re-establish connections that have been strained for a while. Initially it can feel awkward to reach out… and there is no guarantee of success.

A few years ago I reached out to my sister and brother. We were able to reconnect… and have maintained contact since then.

Do overs are not always possible. My parents passed some time ago and a reconciliation with them was not in the cards.

Technical Note:

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard approach in post. This is the 1,234 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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