DSS #101 - Same Texture...New Subject - C&C welcome

billseye

My earlier post...



... used a PS layer of some peeling paint on a horse fence. Somehow, I couldn't seem to make
the subject and the texture blend well and even if I had, they didn't really work contextually. So I used the same background with another shot from the same day and came up with the two below. Better? What about color vs. B&W? Always learning, here. All comments/suggestions appreciated... including ideas for title...

So here's the next attempt.

1.


2.

WhatSheSaw

Really sweet! I like the color better than B&W.

torrbrae

Like your new attempt - especially the colour picture - really get the impression of the eagle against clouds. Love the texture.

richtersl

The color version with the eagle is great! It really pops out nicely from the background. Can you try playing with that shot to deepen the shadows just a little bit and see if that brings out the texture in the rocks even more?

billseye

richtersl wrote: »

The color version with the eagle is great! It really pops out nicely from the background. Can you try playing with that shot to deepen the shadows just a little bit and see if that brings out the texture in the rocks even more?

Here's an attempt to improve the shadows and one to add a gradient (implying sunset?)....

3.


4.

richtersl

Make the shadows darker (not lighter), but keep the lighter areas "as is". That contrast might bring the shadows out more. If the blue color looks a little too intense as a result, try adding a hue/saturation layer and then desaturate the blue a tad.

billseye

richtersl wrote: »

Make the shadows darker (not lighter), but keep the lighter areas "as is". That contrast might bring the shadows out more. If the blue color looks a little too intense as a result, try adding a hue/saturation layer and then desaturate the blue a tad.

I refreshed the image above with a bit more black, contrast and a slight reduction in the exposure value, then desaturated the blues a bit. Since I'm posting from a link to my gallery, the update replaced the previous lighter version, so it's no longer in the previous post in the lighter format. Is this getting closer to what you're suggesting? FWIW, I'm pretty happy with this version.

PedalGirl

Love your latest version... also really like #4 with the graduated colors. Really neat!

DsrtVW

I am still drawn to number 2 , the bird seems to get lost in the other versions but then again I am always drawn to the avian angle. I do like the sunset implication but if you could take the selection brush and remove it from the bird outline

travelways

I really like #2 with the colors, but it's too bright - try playing with the levels/curves and also with color saturation or selective colors (as per Linda's advice)

Very nice idea!

SeascapeS

Love how this is coming along. Like the latest version - the suggestions were spot on!

GretaPics

Wow Bill - I just checked the gallery and was really drawn to your image. Love seeing all the versions too. I like your latest and the graduated color one as well. Great idea for the challenge. GP

travelways

#2 (your current entry) looks very nice, but I would lighten a little bit the black zones on the wings.