Maple Leaf in the Duckweed

[PhoebeG]

I'm wondering if the brown leaf in the upper left is better in the frame or out. I think it may give some balance both physically and in color.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Phil G.

[mjs1973]

I really like the idea of this photo and I think it turned out pretty good. As for the brown leaf in the corner, I find it distracting. I think the image would be better without it. I like the way the light is hitting part of the main leaf and the duckweed. I would almost like to see a little bit more of that light hitting the leaf, and a little less of it hitting the duckweed. I think it would really make the image pop a lot more if the light was on the leaf more.

[PhoebeG]

Thanks. Here's a tighter crop that removes the brown leaf. Can't do much about the lighting, but I think you're right - it would really make the image.

Phil G.

[caleb]

Phil, if you allow it, someone can try some (additional?) post processing to get the light on the leaf

[Loupey]

While the 2nd image is perhaps "cleaner", I do like the symmetry that the brown leaf provides.

But that 2nd leaf needed to be a tad closer to the main leaf with a shallower DOF to keep it identifiable yet not distracting.

Nice job.

I'm wondering if the brown leaf in the upper left is better in the frame or out. I think it may give some balance both physically and in color.

[PhoebeG]

Here's another try. A bit of a sloppy clone job on the brown leaf, but I do think I like the space better this way. Caleb, I'm OK with anyone modifying this if they can show me how to move that highlight spot to on the leaf.

Thanks for the comments Loupey and Caleb.

Phil; G.

[caleb]

I have the photoshop file if you want to see how I did this. I didn't execute it that well (I feel like some boosted saturation is needed in some of the edited places and perhaps better placement where the light is falling.

[PhoebeG]

I don't know that the file would help me (not that technical), but please explain.

Thanks,

Phil G.

[caleb]

I pm'd you the link, here's what the PM said:

Here's a link to the psd file. Like I said in the thread, it could be better executed but using a real soft brush, I made the bright areas darker and then lightened the area around the leaf.

1) hue/saturation layer where I decreased lightness and then increased saturation trying to darken the light areas to blend
2) brightness/contrast layer where I increased both trying to simulate light on the leaf.

I used layer masks and soft, big brushes so the effects were subtle. Looking at this a little later, I think more light needs to be in the foreground and on the right side of the leaf. This would be done by either doing another brightness/contrast layer and painting around that area (since i think that part is already painted white on the original b/c layer.

edit/ added screenshot. The black areas (on the far right) are unaffected and the white areas let the effect go through. I also added what I said above. I don't know how much this really helps the original image, but the idea is there.

[PhoebeG]

Caleb,

Very helpful!. I work on it.

Phil G.