Here’s my first variation from the original. All I did was increase the saturation one hundred percent…

This is my original shot.

The prompt was to take one photograph and to alter it in four ways, posting one per week for the four weeks in March.  Here is my first attempt.

I’ve often noted that the vivid colors of a beach sunset come out incredibly dulled. No doubt a “real” photographer would know why.  Perhaps it is because I am shooting into the sun.  I’ve tried focusing elsewhere, and only occasionally have good results.  The fourth version of this picture will be the closest to what this sunset really looked like.  The second photograph above is my first, unaltered shot.  My editing choices are not too broad, so my alterations will be limited to saturation, definition, sharpness, exposure, contrast, shadow and highlight control.  I believe I often over-sharpen and over-define, so I am trying to hold myself back in that regard.  So, immediately above (second picture) is  the girl without her makeup on!

For other examples in response to this four-way challenge, go HERE.