|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Bob! I like the one with both girls myself, too, although I guess that the single one makes a better image. |
Feb 11th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Hi, I just want to thank you for your comments on my image; for some reason there was no "reply"-link attached, so I'll post it here to reach you. I think, too, that the single maiden did turn out surprisingly well! |
Feb 10th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi, I am glad you like it! I am not familiar with Camera Raw myself, but I googled "camera raw and split tone", and there seem to be even several you tube videos. Enjoy! |
Feb 9th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Agnes, a magical moment! I think, too, that it is perfect as it is, and would join the waiting list to hang it on the wall! |
Feb 9th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Mervyn, I can feel the cool moist air, and the damp grass. You have captured the atmosphere in a fine way, looking at the yard through the sparkling spiderweb. I think, too, that the narrow depth of field is perfect, adding to to impression that the yard disappears in the mist. I think that the brighther spots in the background actually give life to the scene. A lovely image! |
Feb 9th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Tony, I started to play with your lovely intricate patterns of arches and shadows. I put it through Topaz Denoise first which I think made the background tiles more clear. Here is a wild suggestion about the colors: I turned it to BW and added split tone adjustment, keeping the shadows desaturated but adding a pale yellow to the highlights. I think that this would make a subtler version of your sunset colors and bring the shadows out nicely. What do you think? |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Mervyn! Here she is alone - the crop was getting so small that I had to put her through Topaz Gigapixel first. |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Bob, what an adventure! I join the others: an amazing image of an amazing object, with a fine composition, perfect lighting and beautiful colors.I love the way the green moss glows in the sun. |
Feb 9th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Jose, my first association was a Starship Enterprise type futuristic machine. You have found a very special camera angle that has produced an interesting composition with the fine color contrast (the deep yellow is most satisfying) and the centered symmetry. I think the one could also look at this as an abstract and enjoy the forms and colors. |
Feb 9th |
| 26 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Thank you for the comments, Jose! I hesitated to try to clean the background to begin with because I was afraid of losing the stray strands of hair and details of the feather in the process, but you are right, it went surprisingly well and did improve the image considerably. - About the sullen girl not facing the camera, I feel that she might actually add some interest to the story: I think that it looks as if she had turned her head away on purpose, and one begins to wonder about the reason?
- To your question about the shades of white - I actually realized that the original I had posted is not the correct frame but the next one in succession (you can see that the girl has turned her head a bit if you look closely). I used the JPEG image without adjustments for the original, and I think that the whites were a little overexposed. |
Feb 9th |
 |
7 comments - 3 replies for Group 26
|
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Ed! You put it into words so well! I actually did not think about the documentary aspect of the image myself that much but I realize now that it may be the most essential part. |
Feb 25th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you very much, Al! I did first the curves adjustment as Jeff instructed, and then added the darkening touches. It had a huge effect on the mood of the image!
- I am afraid that it really is a bit soft, but my extra sharpening attempts made it look unnatural. I think that the increase in contrast between midtones and highlights helped, though? |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Dom! I worked on the version that had the curves adjusted per Jeff's instructions. I tried first an elliptical exposure gradient that would leave the center untouched and gradually darken the edges, but somehow that looked funny. So I made four layers of linear exposure gradient, one for each edge. I really like the result! - It is amazing how different atmosphere these adjustments make: in the one with darker center it feels that there is no way out, and in this one, there is hope of a brighter world once you can get through the alley. |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you so very much, Jeff! This little twitch just made the image come alive! I have used this version as the basis, and added Al's and DomÂs suggestions on top - now there are three fine versions that I cannot decided which one I like best! |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Robert! A fine architectural image! I think that Jeff's magical touch with the tones and contrast brought the three-dimensional quality and the details out beautifully and gave a lot of punch to the image, but I like the airy luminosity of the original, too.
- Tried to combine the two views by making a radial gradient mask for brightness and contrast to better bring out the structures at the edges without darkening the middle part very much, but this exercise ended up with a flat result that lost the special attractiveness of both versions. I wonder if such an approach would make any sense at all (in more skilled hands)? |
Feb 9th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Ed, another image with a great insight of the significance and soul of a historical building! I for one like the original crop best. I feel that the magnificent sky serves as an essential element to show the church standing there on the stark mountaintop between Earth and Heaven. The brightness of the sky against the darker land adds a spiritual dimension, and the cross on top of the church has enough room to reach upwards. I think that it also looks very balanced. I would consider cloning off the announcement board on the right-hand side of the road? - It is so interesting to see how the different crops and toning affect the mood of the image! |
Feb 9th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Jeff, I love the drama and the story! The lights at the end of the alley and the glistening wet pavement are great elements, and the poncho catches the light in a very dramatic way. It is a scary alley - I am just reading a serial killer novel, and there is a scene with exactly the same feeling. - I think that the crop Al suggested might make the image even stronger.
|
Feb 7th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
What a proud creature with the sleek body and the long arched neck! She fills the frame diagonally in a most effective way. Her beady eye and every feather are razor sharp, and she shows so well against the blurred background in the BW version where I think that you have beautifully eliminated the camouflage effect of the similar colors in the background and in her plumage. - I wonder if there is a duotone or a sepia toning that gives the brownish tint in the tail and the leaves in the background? The background is very lovely, but I think that the tail might look good just a little darker? |
Feb 7th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
I would love to have this hanging on my wall, too! The sense of depth you have created with the composition is breathtaking, and the silky water and moody sky are just lovely. |
Feb 7th |
| 47 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Dom, I think, too, that you have a great architectural image here, with the balanced combination of the various forms, the rhythm of the rows of the windows, and the exquisite tones. The dramatic sky makes a perfect background for the scene.- I can see why you liked the present version of the building on the left best! |
Feb 7th |
6 comments - 4 replies for Group 47
|
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Peggy! I feel, too, that all additions I tried just made her feel uncomfortable! |
Feb 25th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Hi Alan, do you know a Japanese photographer Shoji Ueda? I just visited an exhibition that we were lucky to get to our Museum for Fine Arts, and many of his images brought your people in the grid to my mind. As a film era man, he mostly set up his characters on stage (often on the minimalistic sand dunes close to his hometown)to be photographed, but he did some lovely darkroom-made composites, too. I think that you might enjoy his work! |
Feb 21st |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Thank you, Brad! The light painting games offer so many lovely scenarios, and the long winters here in the North are just made for the activities. I do hope you get the a lot of the real thing on film, too! Have a wonderful trip! |
Feb 21st |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Aavo, it is starting to form! |
Feb 11th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Maria! Her birth was really a fascinating experience, in the darkness of the cold calm night - especially as I have always been a little afraid of unintentionally setting something on fire in such exercises! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Brad, I agree with the others - one of the most personal and intriguing self portraits I have ever seen! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Alan, a delightful game perfectly executed! I agree that the shadows would be a fine addition but I think that the way they now look a little separated from their surroundings gives a feeling that they are pawns that some great invisible hand can move any way he chooses. The collection of the subjects is just wonderful - I especially love the guy who is dropping down to prevent a full row forming - or trying to hang on to make it happen! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Maria, I love the way you weave elements from all over the world into these fantastic tapestries that look more real and more just right than reality. To me, the posture of the young woman tells about a purpose - like this were a very special prayer she is going to say when she reaches the church. The fog and the subtle tones make a mysterious and solemn atmosphere, and the light blue of her dress, repeated in the facade of the church adds a fine detail. - Is it one of the BuzzSim filters you have used, and is it on the whole image, or just in the foreground? I think that it is a perfect finishing touch! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Reply |
Thank you for the tips, Maria! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Aavo, I just love the idea of the wolf contributing to the stopping of the time, and the numbers dripping from the face of the clock! The composition is very expressive! - I was wondering how it would look in monochrome - I think that this could add an element of timelessness, and both the wolf and the fallen numbers would show nicely against the background? - I have visited Bodie once in the nineties, and I do agree that it is a most special place! |
Feb 9th |
 |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Hi Peggy, this is lovely! I cannot decide if the sunflower is surprised of what is happening, or if she is content to release her petals to go. The body language you gave her by bending the stem and adjusting the leaves is exquisite, and you have made the wind visible in a beautiful way -I think that Alan's suggestion would be a fine addition. - Your sunflower certainly has served well! |
Feb 9th |
| 54 |
Feb 23 |
Comment |
Thank, you, Alan, you are so right! I think that Firebird really needs all that empty space! |
Feb 3rd |
7 comments - 5 replies for Group 54
|
20 comments - 12 replies Total
|
