This morning I had my AI Photo editing and masking class early, and it was a good thing; it was the most challenging and complex class yet, it took me more than an hour and a half to bring the photo to where I wanted it, and where I felt it emotionally.

It’s just the two of us, me and Andrew on his two-way screen. I wonder if I’ll ever meet him. He’s a great teacher and knows just how to deal with me.

Initially, the photo was a black-and-white Leica monochrome that I liked very much, but I thought it was spare and gloomy. I never posted it – too dark all around.

I wanted to see if I could retain the sense of bleakness and isolation while also bringing some emotions and feeling into the photograph.

To do this, I had first to hand paint each of the barns to free their details and color and separate the tractors and equipment. I had to save the white corner borns and chimney and bring some detail and feeling into the cloud of mist.

Then I had to make sure that the treetops at the top, covered in mist, survived.

Each element – the barns, sky, and bog- had to be treated separately, separated, and changed without affecting the others. And they all came out in a comprehensive whole.

I manipulate the colors with a slider scale; it’s like mixing paint.

I want another half hour to finish the photo painting (what I call them), but I’m not doing perfection yet, I don’t have time, and my head is worn out from the focus and concentration.

Andrew is stepping back more and more and turning the work over to me.

It was pretty intense, but I’m happy with the work, and I learned an awful lot this morning. I’m hoping – and getting confident – that I can learn to do this well.

I love black and white photography, b &w and digital photos each have their strengths and weaknesses, but sometimes, combining the two really works and brings out the best of both in one photo. It’s possible to do great black and white with color now.

I’m not complaining. This work is exhilarating, but it is difficult, especially for dyslexia. Anything work doing well is challenging, I believe; suck it up. And I hope I can keep learning things until I drop.

I think the work gave the photo some emotion. The Leica did its job capturing shades and contrast; my Lightroom masking program brought it to life and pulled up some feeling.

I’m worn out in the head but having a blast.