Last Harvest

[draymorton]

I have a couple different versions of this image that I wanted to run by everyone to get a general consensus as to which one works the best and why.

In the meantime... does this one work? Are the mood, atmosphere, feel effective? Someone mentioned that the PP gives it an almost storybook illustration look, which I thought was interesting because that's kind of what I was going for.

Reactions, good or bad?

[Canuck935]

The PP is a little too intense for me personally. I feel like there's so much texture and patterns to look at that I can't really focus on anything in particular and my eyes wander all over the frame. It is an intriguing image though, and it does have a bit of a storybook feel to it. Can we see some of the other treatments you tried?

[Frog]

I don't know if it works as you would want it to for me but I agree it has that storybook look.
I will say that it makes me want to hear the music.

[Coastal Flyer]

draymorton,

As my Photoshop skills are nonexistant I admire the ability to create this effect. I can see how this would appear in a children's book. Not sure what the story would be, but I like the pp work. If there was anything I would suggest, it would be to lighten it perhaps just a touch to bring out the colors a bit. Otherwise, I think you did well.

David

[BenWA]

Outstanding!

I think it's an incredibly interesting and FUN photo to look at, and I agree with the storybook feeling. I think the assumed photographic "rule" that one's eyes must only be drawn to one particular area or subject in a given photograph is overemphasized by many, and I don't agree with this notion that it's necessarily taboo to have one's eyes "wander" -- I enjoy exploring a photo like this which contains a number of elements that collectively tell a story. I think it's a great, engaging style, and you've got a great result here. Well done!

[Singletracklovr]

I like it.
The composition is complex and fun to explore.
PP effects are also very cool.

I hope to see more, I'm off to look in your user gallery.

[Didache]

Personally I think it's great! The PP is certainly in your particular style, and it suits this subject well.

Just one thing though - have you uploaded rather a large file? I can't get it all on my monitor at once and have to scroll left to right which makes it lose some of its effect.

Mike

[bwood63]

I like it, it looks like it would make a great CD/album cover

[draymorton]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Really appreciate your taking the time to look and comment.

Canuck - many thanks for the critique; I find input like yours extremely helpful. Other treatments? Certainly, but I'm not sure you'll like them much better, as I suspect it may be the comp to which you're responding as much as the PP. Could be wrong about that, though. Anyway, more torture straight ahead!

Frog - thanks for the comment. What isn't working for you? The composition? The PP? Everything? Just want to know so as to see if I can work on any of the trouble spots. "I will say that it makes me want to hear the music." Be careful what you wish for!

Coastal - Thanks a lot! Suggestions noted - I thought it was a little dark and muted, as well.

BenWa - Wow... thanks! Glad you enjoyed looking and that you see a story in there. I happen to agree with your thoughts on the one-subject rule (or whatever you want to call it). I like having more than one element to focus on in a given image, but that's just my taste (which openly admits to being informed of its own ignorance). Diff'rent strokes...

Singletrack - thanks for the kind words! Very glad you dig it.

Mike - Thanks! Yeah, I think I uploaded too big a file. I'll reduce the size a little on these next variations which I'd threatened to put up...

bwood - cool, thanks! I think these photos would just be used for PR (as in publicity, not PhotographyReview), if anything.

A slightly "cleaner" (less PP'd) version of the original:



I went overboard (in typical fashion) on this next one. The idea was to border on (or cross into) the realm of the ridiculous, but not at the cost of looking dumb. Do the added elements work at all or do they just look hokey?



Thanks again, all.

[gracie_r]

As usual, I love it. I love this post processing look you do. I like the first one best, and my only comment is that I'd crop just a tad from the right since that space doesn't add anything.

The last one though, I love it even more! Makes me think of some of my daughters story books - the ones that are on the verge of no longer being kids books because of the illustrations. I love it (okay, I don't like the Frito bag, but the rest of the additions I love. The Frito bag will date it too much I think).

[Abiciriderback]

Very cool love the comp and the processing which looks like a cross between Dragan, Lucis Art and even a touch of Topaz. Very nicely done and very creative.

Ray Still

[draymorton]

Hey gracie, thanks for the kind words. I think you may be right about the crop.

Makes me think of some of my daughters story books - the ones that are on the verge of no longer being kids books because of the illustrations.

You mean like Shel Silverstein?

The Fritos bag... yeah, I see what you mean. I was looking for something pretty obscure (i.e. dated) in the way of junk food. Originally, I was going to put in an open box of Fruit Brute or Frankenberry, but that would have buried the meter on the ridiculosity scale.

Ray, thanks a bunch! I'm aware of Topaz, but I haven't used it yet. I'd love to try it out at some point; OTOH, I'm not too keen on HDR-type filters. The brand name "Lucis Art" rang a bell, but I didn't know what it did until looking it up a few minutes ago. Funny you should mention Dragan; I discovered his work a few days ago and he's become an instant favorite. But there are lots of amazing guys and gals around doing that kind of stuff.

Thanks again!

[Canuck935]

I actually really enjoy the one with the added stuff.. That one screams storybook illustration to me.. Of the other two I do personally prefer the "cleaner" version.

[LeeIs]

dray, i really love the second one. what a great capture! and the PP is amazing. the 2nd one in these seems a bit pulled back PP wise. That one has the right amount i think. great technique there, but always beneath the great technique lies a great pic if the technique is to work. personally i think both the pic and PP are well done here

[Frog]

Frog - thanks for the comment. What isn't working for you? The composition? The PP? Everything? Just want to know so as to see if I can work on any of the trouble spots. "I will say that it makes me want to hear the music." Be careful what you wish for!

I used the wrong phrase....but if I try to explain it will get too involved so I'll just say that the more often I look, the more it DOES work for me...Both the original and the edit.

[PRB]

Your work has SO MUCH personality --- I can "hear" the music clearly. And, I like ALL of your different versions --- that last one cracked me up.

Keep 'em coming!

My Best to You,
Penny

[draymorton]

Penny - thanks!! Appreciate the nice comment.

Frog - gotcha, thanks... though I'd still like to know what was on your mind about the shots. Maybe it could help in making them more effective?

Liban - yeah, I'm finding that the PP in the second brings out the subjects a little more. Don't know why. I think I agree about it being the right amount of effect. Thanks for the comment.

Canuck - cool! Storybook is what I was after. Again, I think I agree about the slightly "cleaner" look.

Thanks again all.

[Frog]

though I'd still like to know what was on your mind about the shots. Maybe it could help in making them more effective?

I guess its just that this kind of heavy processing isn't my thing but that being said your work is very effective and I even like it. I don't know anything you could do to make it more effective but thanks for your interest in my opinion.

[draymorton]

Frog, I certainly appreciate that. Thanks for clarifying.

[draymorton]

I know I'm starting to sound like an optometrist here ("Better or worse? ... better or worse...?"), but I just wanted to run one last version by everybody.

Another take with the bear, a little lighter on the PP. Better or worse than the other bear one? And how does it rank overall?

Thanks for, uh, bearing with me.

[BenWA]

I think I like this last version best. I think the darkened area that you added between the bear and the barn is a bit too much, maybe tone that back some. Otherwise, yeah... definitely is cleaner.

[LeeIs]

Dray, btw, how do you acheive this look? If you can give me a link or tell me what it's called that would be awesome. It's sorta looks like HDR, is it? or is it another technique?