dss #20 - considering entering for the first time

karlabbott

I have a few images that I have considered for DSS #20. I'm posting them here in the hopes of getting some honest feedback of which are the best and if any captured the spirit of the challenge:

#1 - Serene and Chaotic - Lake reflection with wavy trees


#2 - Serene


#3 - Serene


#4 - It's quite a bit serene, but almost chaotic in the number of trees and the contrasts between black and white.


#5 - Serene


#6 - Serene


Any feedback is much appreciated

Tylwydd

Could not tell if it fits the theme or not but I really like the abstract of #1. May be even better with a slight levels adjust.

richtersl

I like #1 and feel it fits "chaotic". It does need a levels adjustment, though.

divamum

I really like #1 and #4.

The Curious Camel

#1

karlabbott

Thanks for the feedback.

richtersl wrote:

I like #1 and feel it fits "chaotic". It does need a levels adjustment, though.

Thank you all for the great feedback!

Here is #1 with a levels adjustment -- further feedback is definitely appreciated.

Kinkajou

would it be possible for you to lighten them up just a bit? maybe use levels to adjust the brighter side while maintaining the dark. i'll admit that this monitor isn't that great, but the tones seem a touch muddy to me. i think just a little adjustment would really make them look great.

karlabbott

Kinkajou wrote:

would it be possible for you to lighten them up just a bit? maybe use levels to adjust the brighter side while maintaining the dark. i'll admit that this monitor isn't that great, but the tones seem a touch muddy to me. i think just a little adjustment would really make them look great.

Thanks for that feedback -- Here is another version where the tones aren't nearly as muddy:



More feedback is always welcome -- I'm quite impressed by just how many of you have commented so far

pyroPrints.com

I love 2 & 4. #1 is ok, but i'm not sure it's working for me.

AndMan

I like the re-reworked #1, much clear & less muddy. IMHO.
However the blown highlight in the top right corner keeps grabbing my eye and spoiling the image. You might want to try some selective dodge/burn (I never remember which is which) to lower that area back down a bit.

richtersl

AndMan wrote:

I like the re-reworked #1, much clear & less muddy. IMHO.
However the blown highlight in the top right corner keeps grabbing my eye and spoiling the image. You might want to try some selective dodge/burn (I never remember which is which) to lower that area back down a bit.

karlabbott

a bit of a cheat

richtersl wrote:

Yeah -- the spot looks pretty bad. I also don't quite have a handle on my dodge/burn skills (I did give it a little try), so I've cheated a bit and cropped that out of the image and come up with:

I think the original intent of the image is still maintained. What are your thoughts?

That said, I did already submit my picture of the snowy wood (#4) and am a bit torn between pulling that one and submitting this one in its current status.

Tylwydd

I really like the last version !

slpollett

This is a really interesting image. Like the last one best.

Sherry

AnnasPhotos

I also like the last image. It reminds me of a painting.

karlabbott

Thanks all!

AnnasPhotos wrote:

I also like the last image. It reminds me of a painting.

Thanks for all the great feedback! You guys have definitely convinced me to go with the final modification to #1 as opposed to #4.

dnie

To me, in the gallery next to all the others, yours looks like it may have some color to it.... not true B&W. It may just be my monitor, does anyone else see that? I would hate for a beautiful picture to get disqualified for such a minor thing.

karlabbott

I think you are right....

dnie wrote:

To me, in the gallery next to all the others, yours looks like it may have some color to it.... not true B&W. It may just be my monitor, does anyone else see that? I would hate for a beautiful picture to get disqualified for such a minor thing.

I think you're right -- I just passed it back through the black and white filter and I can definitely tell there was some tone to it. Let me submit version E into the challenge gallery.

karlabbott

Thanks for catching that one -- the latest one out there should be true black and white.

dnie

karlabbott wrote:

Thanks for catching that one -- the latest one out there should be true black and white.

That one looks like it. Very pretty!