Joanne Mason Photography

We’re starting another month of variations in the One Four Challenge. As a reminder, I select an original photograph, and then explore four different approaches to editing over four successive weeks. The One Four Challenge was started by Robyn G. Today, Leanne Cole and I are kind of coordinators/evangelists for the One Four. So don’t forget to visit their pages. And for more information about the One Four Challenge, you can go here.

The original this month is the above image of the Acoma Pueblo in Arizona, an extraordinary example of indigenous architecture and culture. The Acoma Pueblo was founded by the Pueblo peoples more than 2,000 years ago, making it not only a remarkable site of historical significance but also a vibrant living community. It is the oldest continuously inhabited human settlement in North America, showcasing a rich tapestry of traditions, stories, and resilient lifestyles that have been passed down through generations. Visiting Acoma offers a unique glimpse into the ongoing cultural practices and art forms that define the Pueblo way of life. I highly recommend a visit to experience the stunning landscapes and the intimate connection the Acoma people have with their land. (Good introductions to Acoma history and culture are here and here.)

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The image above shows the Acoma Pueblo, but I don’t think it’s very good. There’s too much sky and not enough of the Pueblo, among other issues. The first thing I’m going to do is fix this and create a new image depicting the Pueblo. Here is the first variation.

All adjustments in this variation were made with Photoshop and AI. I vertically expanded the lower edge, adding pueblo bricks and rocks. I reduced the sky and replaced it with a more suitable one for the southwestern desert. I might create more variations based on this one.

The scale of the variation is different from the original. But both images are the same size, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. So here is a side-by-side comparison.

I considered whether to use the Acoma image because it’s a significant place within the Acoma Indian Reservation and a National Historic Landmark. It is home to Acoma residents. I also debated using AI to edit the image, but I decided to proceed. I believe my changes will improve the image without altering the facts about Acoma’s existence or history, and I hope my editing honors the Acoma residents and their history and culture.

Visit next week for another variation on this theme.