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Sanibel Lighthouse for Critique

© Laura Greene

Sanibel Lighthouse for Critique

Uploaded: July 07, 2011

Description

Exif: F Number: 20, ExposureTime: 100/20000 seconds, ISO: 2000, FocalLength: 70.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Laura Greene July 07, 2011

This is my before... #1391189

Laura Greene July 07, 2011

Trying to get the before again... #9513811

Laura Greene July 07, 2011

Trying again, BP is slow with uploading photos today #9513817

Dale Hardin July 07, 2011

Laura both shots are very good and with an excellent composition. I like how you've changed it and the revision is my favorite because it has much more impact.

You asked for a critique and this image is so good that the only things I can suggest are technical issues and one lighting issue. So here goes.

There is a very slight lean to the left. Only 1/2 of a degree so a very minor issue. There are also some blown areas in the clouds but very minor. They can be easily cleared using the recovery tool in the raw editor.

The lighting issue is a bit more difficult. Don't know what caused it but there is a noticeable glow to the left of the lighthouse lamp and on the right about half way up the tower.

You can fix this by duplicating the shot, blend with the multiply blend at about 50% and then mask everything except the glowing areas with a large soft brush. Finally, stamp the result and apply about 15% to 25% multiply blend depending on your monitor and how intense you want the sky.

Even if you don't change anything this is a very good image and one to be proud of.

#9514647

Laura Greene July 08, 2011

Dale, Thank you for the thorough critique! I noticed the glow to the L of the light, but not the other. I tried several things to eliminate it - I will try as you've suggested. What do you mean by "stamp?" I'll also try to fix the slight lean and get out my grid!
#9515759

Dale Hardin July 08, 2011

Laura, stamping is just another name for flatten the image. The only difference is that when you flatten an image you cannot go back.

However, when you "stamp" an image you can change your mind and go back to make changes. To stamp an image, select the top layer and hold down the alt-shift-cont keys while pressing the letter E. This will create a new layer with all the other layers still intact.

If you later want to go back, just delete the stamped layer and you will have access to previous changes. #9515981

Karen Kessler July 10, 2011

Laura, I love the colors & contrast in your revisions best! The only things I see are the glows that Dale pointed out.

Dale, thanks for explaining how to do what you were suggesting she try. We can all learn when someone tells us how! :) #9520806

Irene Colling level-classic July 11, 2011

Laura, I love sunset/silhouette photos for their dramatic impact.

I was surprised to see your before photo. I never would have guessed that the glorious sunset color was added with computer enhancement.

Your POV/composition is great and I wouldn't change a thing. Dale seems to have all of the technical aspects covered so I'll make just one artistic suggestion. I'm wondering what it would look like if you "turned the light on."

Add a glow layer above the light area of the photo. Since this is a dusk photo you may decide to glow just the immediate light housing or you could go for more drama by casting light beacons out to the sides.

In this photo of mine I turned on the light by using a "soft light" blend on a yellow gradient layer over the light fixture. Then I place a smaller white gradient above that layer and I think I used either linear light or pin light to blend that layer.

Experiment to see what looks best. #9522149

Dale Hardin July 11, 2011

A great idea Irene and thanks for the "how to". That's the kind of thing that makes a club grow. #9522304

Laura Greene July 12, 2011

OH, thank you, Irene! I can't wait to try these out. I'm currently working on a people portrait display for a Home School Kick Off coming up. I'll be home schooling my kids for the first time, plus I've discovered they'll allow me a table at the kick off. If you look at my basic gallery my daughter is in the set up I'm using for hs. Got EP, yeah! How am I ever going to keep up with hs, business, and fun photos? #9524444

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