Red Valve

[PrevailingConditions]

This is from the side of a very old steam train. I really liked the idea when I saw it, but I wasn't too happy with the way it turned out so I started playing with it and this is what I ended up with. Does this work? I'm actually a little mixed on it.

Thanks,

PC

[Overbeyond]

Excellent composition and wish I had taken it. You have obviously added a sort of fabric/textile finish to it which has not done any damage; maybe it has enhanced it but it is hard to say without seeing it before hand. All the colours sit comfortably together too.
Very well done indeed.

[Greg McCary]

I think you did well with the PPing. Nice subject and composition as well. The letters on the valve adds to the image.
Greg

[gahspidy]

Nice work. i think the texture added is ok, but would probably look just as well without it. If anything, you might consider having it printed on canvas to get the real texture going.
good work

[MarcusK]

PC, hate to be redundant but I think the image is fine without the texture... in any case, you might try to have the texture on another layer with low opacity setting so as to simply give a hint of the texture... (basically make it a bit more believable...)

Other than that... would like to see the original to know why you didn't like it

Marc

[Didache]

I have to agree with most here. It is a fine image which stands on its own (the flash of red is particularly nice) - so I wonder why you felt you had to add the texture? Filters, in general, are best used sparingly or not at all, and ONLY when they really add something to the image.

Please post the original.

Cheers
Mike

[PrevailingConditions]

Sorry about disappearing there, I went backpacking with my son.

Thanks for the many comments. I agree that this version is over done with the texture. Like I said, I was playing to see how it would look. I used a much more subtle version on the full size one which completely disappeared when scaled down (sounds like a good thing ) so I got a little heavy handed.

Here's the original shot.

PC