This is an image from a trip to Albania in September of 2023. We were touring the castle in Girokaster, which was originally built before the 12th century and renovated through the years. It is currently a museum containing WII artifacts of the Communist resistance during Axis occupation. It had been raining, so I didn’t take my camera with me, since it is not weather sealed.
This image was taken on a Pixel 4a using the built-in camera app using the automatic settings and selected the optical 1x zoom lens. Post processing was done in Photoshop 2026.
I divided the image into ground and sky zones and set up Camera Raw layers on each.
In the ground layer decreased exposure, then opened up the shadows and added a little vibrance and a light dehaze. I selectively sharpened some the buildings and foliage in the foreground to bring out more detail.
On the sky layer I decreased the exposure, shadows and blacks and increased the contrast and highlights. I then did a medium dehaze. I added a brightness contrast adjustment layer and selectively enhanced some shafts of light coming through the clouds.
I am including the original image.
7 comments posted
Michael Jack
Excellent post processing. This captures a sense of place with the mountains in the background. I like the foreground vegetation to add depth. To my eye, the image looks a little tilted to the right, but it could be the effect of the wide angle. Posted: 07/05/2026 16:45:03
Barbara Gore
Hi Bill. Nice overlook of the city. I also like the vegetation in the foreground, which creates a natural frame in front of the city, while the mountains and sky form a backdrop. The scene looks natural, and the image is well processed. Posted: 07/05/2026 18:27:55
Larry Treadwell
I feel like the new post processing tools that are available today , along with your patience really brought this older image to life The white buildings in the foreground look vibrant and have sizeable impact. It was certainly worth it to revisit this older image. Nice work with the editing. Posted: 07/05/2026 18:38:57
Tracy Kaminer
I think it's amazing what you can capture with the phone. You are very good at post processing. Everything looks crisp and detailed. And I appreciate you walking us through the steps you took. I am not a phone photographer and wouldn't know where to begin with post processing, so I appreciate the details. Posted: 07/07/2026 20:31:10
Adi Ben-Senior
Bill, Fro me this is a great example of what a good edit should look like., enhancing the picture yet keeping it natural. Very well done. The lighter tones in the center are catching the eye then the view travels to the darker background. Great job.
Posted: 07/11/2026 20:14:39
Grace Cohen
Yes, Bill what a difference between the two images! From dull and flat to full of life and intriguing - I agree with others comments that you did an excellent job and post processing and Really made this image come to life. Well done! Posted: 07/11/2026 20:45:59
Grace Cohen
Yes, Bill what a difference between the two images! From dull and flat to full of life and intriguing - I agree with others comments that you did an excellent job and post processing and Really made this image come to life. Well done! Posted: 07/12/2026 01:30:32
