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Messing around in PS (CS4) [learning/experimenting/applying critique etc]
A simple shot of a single branch of autumnal leaves.
And, in light of advice from PJ Smile I decided to do something a bit different.
I wanted the leaves to appear to 'glow', as in the dark or dusk. (I think I achieved that with V1)
Hope you like it. I appreciate that it won't be to everyone's taste Wink
V2 is the same branch largely as shot except ..........
rotated through 90ºCW so the the leaves look as if they're in a breeze from the right, but the branch is bending into the apparent breeze.
The eyes tell the brain to wake up, and take notice Grin
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D300  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 21 Oct 2012 - 4:34 PM |
| Focal Length: | 300mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/5.7 |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/400sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 800 |
| Exposure Mode: | Shutter speed priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| White Balance: | As Shot |
| Title: | Autumn Abstract |
| Username: | 
strokebloke |
| Uploaded: | 22 Oct 2012 - 8:49 AM |
| Tags: | Abstract, Flowers & plants, Humour / fun, Wildlife / nature |
| VS Mode Rating |
105 (57.45% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 18 |
 | Variant - Before and After |
Comments
You know that I love leaves in any shape of colour, Jack, and this is the time of year when they prepare to fall and show their rich and beautiful colours.
Of the two, I prefer V1, simply because they have fully changed colour. Your background is perfect for setting them off, and you achieved your goal, they do appear to glow, as if light is directly upon them.
I would like to have seen them more in focus, but understand that it may have been your intention to present them like this.
So glad you have tried something different, and hope you enjoyed the challenge.
Compositionally, I find the format is confining your subjects. Each image is a single branch, each has an end to the branch, and I would like to have seen space in front of the ends. If this means cropping the other end in order to avoid a very long format, so be it. If you look at V1, for instance, there is a gap on the right side of the branch, and a few rather straggly leaves in that area, so a crop would in fact enhance the image by removing those less attractive leaves. I think we could say the same about V2 as well.
As to the horizontal and vertical presentation, Jack, I have found that the more pleasing images have the stem or branch starting in one of the bottom corners and running diagonally across the frame. If that starting point should be on the left, which does seem to look better, then a bit of space on the right enhances the composition. (If you allowed modifications, Jack, I'd be pleased to do one for you).
This one might give you an idea.
I'm not sure why this image is appearing twice in your portfolio.
Pamela
I ran out of time for editing my above comment, Jack. The link is to sumac leaves, and it's the V3 that I am referring to.
Yes, I can see exactly what you mean Pamela.
It would be very simple to crop the RH end of the branch and dispose of the single leaf
My problem is that I don't think !!! (diagonals, in either direction or anything else in any direction)
The vertical rotation was waaaay-outside-the-box for me 
I'm about as arty-farty as a pair of lamb chops.
If it's not technical, I can't envisage it. I never even get to think about it 
It's twice in my Pf because I uploaded initially at about 1 o'clock in the morning. Then took it off again with the intention of reloading it later in the (daylight) morning at a reasonable hour. When I did so I found that I couldn't reload the original so had to do a completely fresh upload. I suspect that if I delete the first one from my Pf it will delete both, as they're the same image. Maybe that's what I ought to do
M
Please don't delete them both, Jack, you'll make me feel guilty for doing my critique
!
The last thing I want you to think is that your image should be removed from your portfolio....it shouldn't.
I don't see why they should both go if you delete the other one. They are separate uploads.
As to your non-arty-fartiness, Jack, at least now you can consider shooting on a diagonal next time, then there would be no editing required.
Besides, a pair of lamb chops can be made to look very nice, side by side, facing in opposite directions, like a yin yang symbol
.
You are not alone, there must be several photographers on this site who lack a little creativity, and thankyou for reminding me of that, I do tend to assume that it's within us all.
Pamela.
For goodness sake Pamela, don't stop offering your advice - in whatever form it takes.
I really do not want to assume that what I put up is fine, simply because no-one ever tells me it's not.
I rely upon a number of you whom I know will tell me when, and how, whatever I upload can be improved.
When I commence the 'delete' process of the one that I removed from the gallery in the early hours of the morning, the dialogue box informs me that it will be deleted 'everywhere' ~ which I assume to mean that it will also be deleted from this gallery.
I'll wait until this has run its course: then save it to a (now very bulky) 'learning' file on my desktop, delete these two identical images from my Pf then reload the image back into my Pf, without uploading it again to the gallery
I've never been likened to a ying-yang symbol before. I'm very flattered
I'm not sure why, but I am.
Hi, Jack.
Yes, I am pleased.
Sorry to be slow in looking at your new version. I am staying with my daughter and my connection has been poor.
I like the new version, but was sorry to see that you had cropped it on the top and bottom as well, because I feel it needed that extra bit of space.
Thankyou for your "ticking off", I needed reminding that you're such a nice guy.
Quote: sorry to see that you had cropped it on the top and bottom as well, because .......
I cropped it to 1000 x 300 because I was going to upload it into a space, on my website, designated as that size.
Then couldn't upload it
Never mind - disappointment is a fact of life
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