A Filipino outdoor enthusiast exploring the intersection of digital creativity, outdoor adventures, cycling, and minimalist photography.

Eliminating Distractions from My Outdoor Photos

One of the challenges of capturing photos while cycling or engaging in outdoor activities is achieving a clean, perfect shot. More often than not, it’s difficult to avoid unwanted elements or distractions in the frame.

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Featured Digital Edits
Eliminating Distractions from My Outdoor Photos
Cleaned shot during one of our rides

I’ll start by saying this: I’m not a professional photographer. But I do have a deep appreciation for black-and-white photography. There’s something timeless about the simplicity and drama that monochrome brings—it allows me to focus on the essence of a moment without the distractions of color.

When it comes to editing my photos, particularly removing unwanted elements, my goal is simple: I want to highlight the subject and enhance the composition. By clearing out distractions, I can better direct attention to what matters most in the frame, giving the photo a cleaner, more intentional look.

What’s your take on removing elements from photos? Do you think it enhances the image, or does it take away from its authenticity? For me, it’s all about balance—highlighting the subject while adding a touch of drama to the scene. To me, it feels less like altering reality and more like focusing on the story I want the photo to tell.

Here’s a quick edit to illustrate the difference it makes.

So, what do you think about removing some of the elements of your shots? Does it make sense or does it destroy the overall shot? As for me, I like how it help me highlight my subject and how it helps me instill drama to the photo.