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Dust-free Electrical Outlet Removal

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Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

Dust-free Electrical Outlet Removal

 

 

 

I wanted a quick photo of some gladiolas from my yard to send to some friends, no big deal. Maybe it's just me but I get a little obsessed when I look at photos and my attention is drawn away from the subject. When taking photos, I probably should slow down and get it right, but sometimes I can just edit the photo to clean things up.

 

This morning with the flowers, the shot was taken in my kitchen on the counter. I was bothered by the electrical outlet on the backsplash under the cabinets in the background. So I thought I would just edit it rather than take a new photo. It's good practice for editing in the future.

 

If you have never edited a photo, it can be a bit intimidating. Some editing software can be harder to learn than others, there are many that are simple to learn and free if you don't mind the limited applications. I know that I learned by using several free programs then moved up to a bigger editor.

 

So as you can see I removed the electrical outlet, it was holding my attention more then the blossoms. Without getting into too much of the details here, I used a “cloning” tool. By designating a starting point, I can clone the same thing in a new location. Starting in a partial tile I could extent the tile to it's full length. Doing this for all the adjacent tiles, the pesky outlet goes away. This just one example of how this can be used.

 

How can you use this in your routine?

 

One thing that comes to mind is MLS photos. You may take your own photos and see something that you may have missed while at the address but wish it could be removed or edited. Many photos just need a little help to better show the property.

 

Nicole Doty has a regular post, Animals of the MLS, that features animals in MLS photos, I find these very funny but the shots are unprofessional as a sales tool. I often look at these and know that the pet can easily be removed to better show the property. Check out one of Nicole's past Animals of the MLS.

 

Maybe something like a power line, or a plastic bag, or some other item is distracting the view of the shot, this can all be cleaned up with some simple editing experience. With a little bit of practice, you may find that it gets easier with time.

 

Good Luck in all your editing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I'm with the first comment you don't want to be misleading; a little editing on animals would be fine. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great weekend.

Jun 13, 2015 12:47 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Tom, I was so focused on the flowers and the vibrant color I did not see the electrical outlet. In fact, I would not have "seen the difference" if you had not stated it was the electrical outlet.

Jun 13, 2015 01:17 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Tom. I love the flowers. I would have simply taken another photo though.

Jun 13, 2015 01:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Tom- I'm just learning how to use the cloning tool and love it.  I was able to remove a pesky telephone wire from a beach scene. 

Jun 13, 2015 05:26 AM
Karen Winters, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group - Chicago, IL - Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL

I'm with Kathleen.  The flowers caught my attention and I had to search for what was different.  I may have noticed the outlet at some point, but then again....

Jun 13, 2015 12:33 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Tom.  Way beyond me I would just take another photo.  I'm also with Kathleen also

Jun 13, 2015 08:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I can see how editing photos can be misleading in some cases Lenn Harley .

Jun 13, 2015 11:14 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage


Good Point Pat Champion 

Jun 13, 2015 11:15 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Maybe it was because I shot the photo, or maybe the original size was much larger; either way it held my attention. The flowers are beautiful though Kathleen Daniels . 

Jun 13, 2015 11:15 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Maybe I do that the next time Sheila Anderson but where is the fun in that?  :)

Jun 13, 2015 11:16 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I do remember reading a post involving you and Sharon Tara not too long ago Kathy Streib !  I am glad you got to put it to use.

Jun 13, 2015 11:19 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Perhaps I should just focus my attention a little differently Karen Winters . 

Jun 13, 2015 11:19 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I will consider that approach next time James Dray 

Jun 13, 2015 11:20 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

My source of choice is Ribbet, but unfortunately they now charge for "premium" features and clone is premium. 

Another way to handle this picture would be to blur the background. I've done that many times if for some reason the cloning effect was not working as I had hoped.

Jun 13, 2015 11:30 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That could be a great way to solve many editing problems Sharon Tara .

I love my PhotoShop but find it quick and easy to use Snipping Tool which is available in Windows 8. It is limited but free.

Jun 13, 2015 11:42 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Don't recall who slogan it is, but you make it like it never even happened.

Jun 14, 2015 02:52 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Oh yeah, I think it was an insurance company Joe Petrowsky 

Jun 14, 2015 04:17 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Tom.  What struck me about the picture was the lack of a GFCI being in the kitchen.

Jun 14, 2015 09:34 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It is not near water, however it is GFCI Protected Conrad Allen 

Jun 14, 2015 09:39 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

See how you home inspectors have trained us

Jun 14, 2015 09:42 PM