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03/23/2026 11:19:46 AM · #1 |
Originally posted by lovemelvin:
Hello.. Good day.. I couldn’t find a thread specifically about the rules, so I’m posting this here for now. If there is already a thread for rule questions, please let me know and I’ll gladly delete this and repost it in the appropriate place.
I just have a question about Minimal Editing.
One of the rules says:
“Fully desaturate your image using your editing software’s ‘desaturate,’ ‘convert to grayscale,’ or equivalent function. Customizable tools are not allowed.”
I only use my phone to take and edit my photos. I’d like to ask whether this is legal under Minimal Editing:
2-step edit using my iPhone:
1. Noir (to make it BW)
2. Sharpness +100
Would this still be allowed?
Thank you <3 |
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03/23/2026 11:27:33 AM · #2 |
| My initial response would be no to the Noir edit. |
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03/23/2026 11:34:21 AM · #3 |
Thank you... how about Mono?
The only available options to convert it to BW (in correct order) are:
Mono
Silvertone
Noir
PS. thanks for putting this in the correct thread, glad2badad
Message edited by author 2026-03-23 11:35:19. |
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03/23/2026 11:51:19 AM · #4 |
Are you using software on your phone to desaturate and if so, which program?
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03/23/2026 12:02:02 PM · #5 |
The best way I've found in any software to ensure it fits the Minimum Editing rules is to look for wherever the global slider is for Saturation and just slide it all the way to zero. That's the equivalent of "convert to grayscale" because it leaves luminosity, color balance, and levels otherwise untouched. It sounds to me like you might be using Snapseed, and I know that the saturation slider for that appears within the "Tune Image" tool.
Hopefully that's helpful! :-) |
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03/23/2026 12:17:14 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by PennyStreet:
Are you using software on your phone to desaturate and if so, which program? |
Hi.. I just use the native pre-installed Photos (Gallery) app where photos are automatically saved.
1. I tap the native/built-in "Photos" app of the phone
2. Select the photo
3. Tap "edit" icon
4. Filter > Mono, Silvertone, or Noir
Here's a 25-second video to better illustrate the in-app process:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7tk9vrCIasA
Message edited by author 2026-03-23 12:22:23. |
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03/23/2026 12:30:33 PM · #7 |
I think the "edit" process in iPhoto requires you to modify the original file. I could be wrong but, if so, that would be a no-no in any ruleset.
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03/23/2026 12:38:01 PM · #8 |
You might find this video helpful:
How to Desaturate in Photos (iPhone)
You need to find the slider within the "Adjust" tab rather than within the "Filters" tab.
Mind you, I'm not an iPhone user myself, but it looks very similar to how Samsung's native Gallery app works, so this video was able to help me confirm that. :-) |
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03/23/2026 12:59:05 PM · #9 |
Thanks @Penny. The "edit" button is the first step/only way to access sharpening tool. Maybe I can install a third-party app like Photoshop? for phones. I wouldn't risk going out of the rules set, so I'll be cautious. Thank you..
Thank you, Johnathan. That was very helpful. I forgot that's another way to remove "colors".
Alternatively, can I take a photo like this:
Open Camera> Portrait> "Stage Light Mono"?
Stage Light Mono is a Portrait Lighting effect on the iPhone that creates a dramatic, black-and-white portrait with a deep black background, simulating a focused spotlight on the subject.
I’m wondering because it seems to follow the rule that “your image as entered must be identical to the original image as it came out of the camera.”
Sorry abt the extra clarifications. I’m only asking because a simple desaturation doesn't feel artistic and visually-realistic at all. It flattens the photo and doesn’t capture the depth/character that even BW photos from 100 years ago have.
edited to add:
~~~~~~~~~~
Ohhh but yeah, I understand this is a Minimal Editing challenge. I respect the rules and will abide by them. Learning to create within constraints is one of the things competitions are meant to encourage 😀
I'm okay now. Query solved. Thanks admins 🙂
~~~~~~~~~~
Message edited by author 2026-03-23 13:00:35. |
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03/23/2026 02:13:18 PM · #10 |
| For any challenge entries we always recommend editing a copy of your file, so you always have an unaltered original. |
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