Tutorial led by Editor Michel Romaggi in collaboration with the author Tatsuya Moments 
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 9^th of December 2025

This photo was taken on a rainy evening in the city.

I was out walking with no particular destination in mind, simply enjoying the way the rain was softening the lights and reflections around me.
Then, when I noticed this woman standing quietly under her umbrella, illuminated by the blurred lights of passing cars and neon signs, I experienced a moment of stillness amidst the city's bustling rhythm.d this woman standing quietly under her umbrella, illuminated by blurred car lights and neon signs, I felt a moment of stillness in the middle of the city's rhythm.

‘Blue Silence’

My intention was not to document the person, but the atmosphere.
I wanted to capture the solitude and quiet strength, and the feeling of looking at the world through a thin veil of rain.

Equipment

• Camera: RICOH GR III
• Lens: Built-in 28mm equivalent
• Filters: None
• Tripod: Not used (handheld)
I started with a basic 'straight out of camera' file. It was during post-processing that the transformation occurred.

POST-PROCESSING (with Layer Breakdown)

My Editing Approach

The editing process is largely intuitive, driven by emotion rather than strict rules.
As I edit, I ask the image what it needs:
Softer highlights, deeper blues or more ambiguous textures, for example.
The final work becomes more than just a photograph of the moment;
but an interpretation of how that moment felt: silent, melancholic and dreamlike. The structure of the layers used in Photoshop is shown below, from bottom to top, and represents the actual workflow.

Post-Processing Workflow (with Visual Step-by-Step Screenshots)

Below is an overview of my editing process from step ① to ⑥, illustrated with actual screenshots from Photoshop.
These images show how each layer and effect transformed the photo as I built the final mood intuitively.

① Original Image — Base Composition

No major adjustments yet. Base composition only.

② Basic Color Setup — Photoshop + Color Look Up

At this stage, I applied a Color Look Up table to define the overall direction of the tones.
This creates the foundation of the cold, rainy atmosphere.
Brightness, contrast, and color balance were also lightly adjusted.

③ Nik 7 Color Efex — Establishing the Blue Mood

Using Nik Color Efex, I shaped the essential mood:

• softened highlights

• deepened the blues

• adjusted luminance and contrast

• clarified midtones

This step builds the emotional color base of the final image.

④ Duplicate Color Efex Layer — Motion Blur (~370)

I duplicated the previous Color Efex layer and added Motion Blur (approximately 370).

This enhances:

• the softness of background lights

• the smooth trails of rain

• the dreamy separation between subject and environment

A mask was used to control where the blur appears.

⑤ Nik 7 Analog Efex — Adding Textures & Imperfections

With Analog Efex, I added subtle layers of:

• scratches

• stains

• atmospheric haze

• film-like imperfections

These textures make the image feel like a memory seen through a wet, imperfect surface.

⑥ Final Adjustments — Nik Color Efex (Second Pass)

For the final polish, I returned again to Nik Color Efex, refining:

• saturation

• final blue tones

• contrast

• depth in shadows

This step brings cohesion and emotional depth to the whole image.


BIOGRAPHY

My name is Tatsuya, and I am a street and fine-art photographer based in Japan.
Photography began as a simple way to record daily life, but over time it became a language for expressing emotions that are difficult to put into words.
I am often drawn to themes such as rain, silence, and solitary figures—moments that hold a quiet story within them.
For me, a photograph is a small visual poem.