Hey, Santa!!!

Coming back from my step-daughter's house, and we spotted this huge Santa in front of one of the car dealerships. I got my wife to pose next to it, and took this picture. I had to PS a sign out that was covering the right boot (left side of frame), and should probably do a little more to help the colors pop. I used my AE1-P, in program mode, and it was a very cloudy day.

Opinions?

I thinkmthis Santa is giant! Nice framing, but the lighting and overcast sky was not ideal for the shot. The Santa looks too contrasty and dim. and blown out sky behind his white head not helping. Looks like you also ps some stuff off the ropes that are holding him up?

without sounding to critical in examining a fun shot (the santa is huuuuuge!) i'd like to point out a few telltale photoshop leftovers that really pain my eyes to see.

the most visible would be the boot which doesn't follow the visual clues - the other boot is a different shape, tied down, etc - in the photo, and has a very harsh edge.

the second - and this comes up a LOT - is the repeating paterns that show up when you use a small source patch while rubber stamping. you get that "repeated" look. with something like grass you can hopefully pull random bits from different spots to patch together something more realistic.

i think the real issue is deciding when to rely on PS to take care of undesirable elements of a framed shot, or when to reshoot differently, pass on the shot, or even just accept whatever it is that's there. when i do decide to do photoshop work, i generally try to shoot extras that will help fill in background if needed.

i spent a minute or two and used the existing boot and more varied ground pattern to quickly show the direction i'd start in if i were PSing it myself.

this stuff is a lot personal preference though, so don't take my opinions too heavily.

lol! I think that white thing is her shoe :) Someone should tell her that she lost her other shoe on santa's other foot.

:) Just playing with you all! Don't take it seriously!

hahah good call! i was zoomed in so close i didn't notice!

see, PS is tricky business. carry tools and dismantle anything in the way of your perfect shot.

Thanks for the input... I'm seriously thinking about cutting this out and putting it on a completely different background.... maybe a shot from the Christmas Tree farm down the road, and use it for a Christmas card next year.