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Home / Photo Editing / Photo editing exchange – What happens when two pros process each other images?

photo editing exchange featured 1200px

Photo editing exchange – What happens when two pros process each other images?

January 6, 2022 by Darlene Hildebrandt

Updated: January 21, 2023

Recently I did a neat little photo editing exchange with another photographer. In this article and the accompanying video, you’ll see how we each chose to edit the other’s images.

You’ll learn how we each approached the images and how we decided what to do with them. Sometimes we had the same thought process, and on other images, we went totally different directions. I think you’ll find it interesting.

Photo editing exchange – the images

Here are the original unedited images, as they appear straight out of the camera. We sent each other several different images, these are the ones we chose to edit.

photo editing exchange 750 10
Larry’s image
photo editing exchange 750 12
Darlene’s image
photo editing exchange 750 06
Larry’s image
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Darlene’s image

Watch the photo editing exchange video

Before you scroll down and cheat by looking at the after or finished images, watch the video below. Larry and I got together on Zoom to discuss the following:

  • Why we chose the images
  • How we decided what to do with each image
  • How to know when to stop
  • How to know when something isn’t working and to regroup and try again
  • Experimentation and happy accidents
  • Creating a painterly look

Watch it now!

Software used

Larry and I use many of the same photo editing tools and software. We both use Lightroom as a base as well as Photoshop, Luminar AI, and Topaz plugins.

photo editing logos

Learn more about those here:

  • Topaz Sharpen AI: Topaz Sharpen AI Software Review
  • Topaz DeNoise AI: How to do Noise Reduction – Software Comparison and Recommendations
  • Luminar AI tutorials
  • Learn Lightroom
  • Learn Photoshop
  • Photoshop tips and tutorials

If you want even more learning we have full (2-6 hours) virtual classes on Lightroom and Photoshop as well. CLICK HERE for more information on those.

The finished images

Hopefully, you’ve already watched the video by now. If so, here’s a look at the finished images, side by side.

photo editing exchange 750 02
Larry’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 14
Darlene’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 01
Larry’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 11
Darlene’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 08
Darlene’s second version
photo editing exchange 750 04
Larry’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 05
Darlene’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 03
Larry’s edit
photo editing exchange 750 16
Darlene’s edit

Your thoughts?

So what do you think? Of the four image pairs above, tell me in the comment section below which of each you prefer for:

  • The ballerina
  • The sheep
  • The church ruins
  • Venice canal

Do you prefer my edit, or Larry’s? I want to hear from you!

Think you can do better with my images? If so, download them here (it’s a zip file of the images at 2400px, not full size) and give them a go.

BUT you have to agree to post your finished results in the comment area below. Promise?

Have fun!

Cheers,

Darlene Hildebrandt photographer DPM

About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene Hildebrandt, Master of Photographic Arts (MPA), is a Canadian photography educator and the founder of Digital Photo Mentor. She holds Canada's highest professional photography designation from Professional Photographers of Canada, served as Managing Editor of Digital Photography School, and represented Canada on Team Canada at the 2025 World Photographic Cup. With over 35 years of experience, from darkroom film retouching to modern digital editing, more than 17,000 students have learned to edit with confidence through her structured online courses in Luminar Neo and Lightroom Classic and the Digital Photo Mentor Community.

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