Photography is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.

Here's one of a very 1970s-looking Henry, and 1950s-looking Ezra that I took deep into the noughties just this weekend. Technically, it is not the greatest photograph that will ever be taken, as the light was just too bright and overwhelmed everything (not least the colour tones). The problem with photographing toddlers though, is that you just don't have enough time to adjust the settings.

That said, you CAN do a little post-production work and experiment a little if you think that there is something to the photo. I happen to like the fact that I've managed to snap both lads in one frame. I also like that both of them have their eyes open at the same time. Lastly, I just like the looks on their faces, as both of them look in the photo just like they look in my head: Henry is being a bit of a show-off and ready to bark an order, and Ez is just holding back a bit waiting for something to happen.

So first I trimmed the photo, shedding a heap of glare on the right of the image, and centring the faces a little better. Then I just drained the entire colour from it. Then it was fiddling with the exposure and contrast. But I still wasn’t sure. Henry’s hair gave me the idea to try and ‘age’ it a bit with a bit of grain and a muted sepia tone, to try and get that weathered photo look. I think that it works. What do you reckon?

Any tips for retrieving a dud photo? I’m happy to take ‘em on board...