#28 - Final C&C

richtersl

Per Kat's suggestion, I'm sticking all my attempts into a new thread and on one page for a final C&C so you can see than all next to each other. These have all been cleaned up. Lemme have it!


#1 - "For Sale"



#2 - "The Final Frontier"




#3 - Chinese Lanterns & Dress (vertical)



#4 - Chinese Lanterns & Dress (horizontal)



#5 - Chinese Lanterns & Cocktail Dress

bf2015

Wow! Some amazing shots!

I really like #1, however, because the dog and walker look "placed in", I would have to go with #5 and then #3. Beautiful colors!

whiterice

Linda -

I think you could have a winner with any of these shots. Really, really fantastic! All spot-on for this theme.

#1 is definitely a favorite, I just don't think though that it looks believable....might need a shadow or something on the dog.

#3 and #4 I think are my favorites of all my favorites of your shots!

Again -

I am really interested to know what you did to process these images to achieve the wondrous, vibrant colors - especially #4.

Katmitchell

Well Linda..

You always post so many intriguing photos that it takes me leaving and then coming back again and again before I can comment.. I want to leave the best advice I can...

I am still standing firm on #5... It is a winner all around in my opinion. The composition is just perfect with the way the main subject sits perfectly on a third, and the way the lanterns increase in size and depth as they wrap around balancing the main subject on the opposite side of the frame.

I even brought my husband to the computer, to get a fresh set of eyes that have not seen them before,,,,, almost sure he would pick frontier and he picked #5 right off the bat.. There is something all around pleasing about it...

What you did with #3 is gorgeous, but the reflections in the windows are making it too busy, especially with all of the high contrast color. I am not fond of the piece of ball sticking out from the waistline of the dress, and the green planter boxes pull my eyes downward too aggressively.

I always did like #1, but I just cannot make peace with that heavy slant in the street when the theme is squared..

The Final Frontier cleaned up very nicely with the shadows much softer and more natural...

However, in order to help out, I know I have to pick one..
So I am sticking with #5...

Job well done IMHOclap

Kat


P.S. >> Nice recovery on the dress Linda.. I was worried it would be a tough one on that blowout..

richtersl

bf2015 wrote:

Wow! Some amazing shots!

I really like #1, however, because the dog and walker look "placed in", I would have to go with #5 and then #3. Beautiful colors!

Thanks, Brian. Yeah, that dog walker does look placed in and that was my problem with it. Even tried adding a shadow, which improved it slightly but not enough. I tried bringing out the edges to give the photo a sketch-like look but even with that they still look placed in. Defintely got some layer masking exercise out of it, though.

richtersl

whiterice wrote:

Linda -

I think you could have a winner with any of these shots. Really, really fantastic! All spot-on for this theme.

#1 is definitely a favorite, I just don't think though that it looks believable....might need a shadow or something on the dog.

#3 and #4 I think are my favorites of all my favorites of your shots!

Again -

I am really interested to know what you did to process these images to achieve the wondrous, vibrant colors - especially #4.

Thanks!

I did place a shadow on the dog walker but it still wasn't enough. She looks out of place to me, too. What's weird is that I made sure I photographed her in the shadows because I knew that's where I needed to place her. Like I mentioned to Brian, I did get some good layer masking excercise out of this.

I used a Photoshop Lomo action to get those colors to pop like that. I'll post some more information on that in a how-to thread.

richtersl

Katmitchell wrote:

I even brought my husband to the computer, to get a fresh set of eyes that have not seen them before,,,,, almost sure he would pick frontier and he picked #5 right off the bat.. There is something all around pleasing about it...

Hmmmm...must have something to do with that sexy vintage cocktail dress... rofl In reference to your other comment, the highlights were always there, it's just that when I ran the PS action on it the second time, I increased the saturation and tinkered with the contrast to recoup them. Good call on that too! Thanks.

Katmitchell wrote:

What you did with #3 is gorgeous, but the reflections in the windows are making it too busy, especially with all of the high contrast color. I am not fond of the piece of ball sticking out from the waistline of the dress, and the green planter boxes pull my eyes downward too aggressively.

This is where having another set of eyes comes in handy. I thought I had a decent crop going with that version. But now that I look at it again, you're right on the money about those green planters. I can also see that I forgot to desaturate the yellow reflection in the window. :uhoh

Katmitchell wrote:

I always did like #1, but I just cannot make peace with that heavy slant in the street when the theme is squared..

Not much I can do about the street because apparently it has a slight slant to it. The doors and windows line up perfectly with the grid in PS.

Katmitchell wrote:

The Final Frontier cleaned up very nicely with the shadows much softer and more natural...

As much as I like how that shot turned out and as much fun as I had in creating it, the more I look at it, the more it appears to cross the line from photograph to digital art. Not sure how shatch and divamum would interpret that shot. Have to think about it.

MarkR

Of the dress shots, I like #3 the best, with its warmer, more naturalistic colors.

Kinkajou

As one who just started following the thread, I didn't know that the dog/walker were placed in, and it looked natural to me. Granted, I didn't stare at it for 15 minutes, but I wouldn't have known without reading the comments.

That said, I like #1 the best, and then #4.

Good luck!

Katmitchell

richtersl wrote:

Hmmmm...must have something to do with that sexy vintage cocktail dress... rofl

== Yep, that is probably it... D


[/quote]This is where having another set of eyes comes in handy. I thought I had a decent crop going with that version. But now that I look at it again, you're right on the money about those green planters. I can also see that I forgot to desaturate the yellow reflection in the window. :uhoh[/quote]

== A very decent crop Linda.. but the planters are so pretty they compete.. It is still a very strong entry too though with the reflection clean up.


[/quote] Not much I can do about the street because apparently it has a slight slant to it. The doors and windows line up perfectly with the grid in PS.[/quote]

== I know..been there before too,,, Have to mention that I don't get what everyone is saying about the lady and dog.. I cannot see anything wrong with it.. Looks good to me.........


[/quote]As much as I like how that shot turned out and as much fun as I had in creating it, the more I look at it, the more it appears to cross the line from photograph to digital art. Not sure how shatch and divamum would interpret that shot. Have to think about it.[/quote]

== Yeah... I had wondered that too,,, hmmm.. that happens to me a lot when I try composites.. I am "not very good" at them yet, but learning..However, you did an awesome job, but I can see your point for sure on the digital graphics line there..

Whatever you end up choosing, I am confident you will chose well with your entry.... especially with your talent and knack for knowing these competitions..

Good Luck..
Kat

Tango

51432531423351423342514132435241
2314245353424251514243435241413243525124131325
4352413534251425443542253552535
14253423131425342313142452321314252342314124223121
3423323142534232314521413324251413232424
51324243215

MarkR

AaronNelson wrote:

51432531423351423342514132435241
2314245353424251514243435241413243525124131325
4352413534251425443542253552535
14253423131425342313142452321314252342314124223121
3423323142534232314521413324251413232424
51324243215

A good protocol 'droid should be able to translate that for you.

nightpixels

To me, #1 and #2 are the strongest on the theme. In spite of the other 3 being wonderful shots, I am afraid the dress takes the attention away from the theme a bit too much. If you choose to go with #1, I would work on the woman and the dog a little bit to make them blend into the image a little better, especially around the dog's legs. Good work Linda!

richtersl

AaronNelson wrote:

51432531423351423342514132435241
2314245353424251514243435241413243525124131325
4352413534251425443542253552535
14253423131425342313142452321314252342314124223121
3423323142534232314521413324251413232424
51324243215

:devbobo rofl:D:giggle

richtersl

nightpixels wrote:

To me, #1 and #2 are the strongest on the theme. In spite of the other 3 being wonderful shots, I am afraid the dress takes the attention away from the them a bit too much. If you choose to go with #1, I would work on the woman and the dog a little bit to make them blend into the image a little better, especially around the dog's legs. Good work Linda!

Thanks, Allen!

bf2015

You know...I'm gonna have to disagree with Aaron.

I really think it should be

5343142514251423
232413522314241342541524
425142512432151421
514215413121421425421

IMHO

dnie

MarkR wrote:

A good protocol 'droid should be able to translate that for you.

Where is C-3PO when I need him?

DsrtVW

I still like #1 even without the walker. #3 is my pick for the dress series. Vibrant definately

ic4u

Boy, I don't know if I can be much help on this one Linda, they are all fantastic. If I had to choose, I would say #5, then #1. Hope that helps:D

NikonsandVstroms

#1 or #3 in my view, #3 I think it's more with theme though, the square in number 1 are not as prevalent, either way you go they are Great shots

richtersl

Thank you all for your input!

I've spent the bulk my time here just lurking in the thread trying to make my mind up. :hack

I'm going to take a deep breath and just flip a coin. The worst that can come out of this is that I have some nice pics to add to my galleries.