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Peters suggestion Beths image crop

© Peter W. Marks

Peters suggestion Beths image crop

Uploaded: December 20, 2013

Comments

Peter W. Marks December 20, 2013

I like the concept Beth but am having a small problem with the depth of field you have chosen. It is an optical illusion, but whereas the left side branch is obviously behind the ornament the right side one has the appearance of being in front of it but out of focus. Can you see what I mean? What happens then to my eyes at least is that because the 'ornament' is much less prominent the out of focus branch overpowers the image.
Now you know that I am not a "dale" but may I offer a suggestion by way of my quick screen shot crop. I haven't played around with your image but just made a quick crop and there are doubtless things that others might suggest.

May I wish you a very happy Christmas! #1556682

Stephen Shoff December 20, 2013

This is the 2nd picture this week that I've seen that shows us nature's source for some of our common tree ornaments.

Nicely done. #10926320

Dale Hardin December 20, 2013

This is "cool" (pun intended), Beth. I see what Peter meant about the focus and most of that seems to be because the ice is so smooth on the branches and doesn't reflect any hard edges. Also agree with him that a crop would enhance the shot.

Actually, if this were my image there is quite a bit I would do, but only because that is what I see in the image and may not have any relationship to what you see in the image.

Anyway, if 'twer mine, would first straighten so that the icicle hangs straight down. then would crop using an 8x10 vertical format with the subject just off center, and then would flip it.

Next, I'd apply a shadows/highlights adjustment of about 10% shadows and 20% highlights. And finally would burn the highlights of the brightest limb and the bright yellow in the upper background.

Peter, I couldn't help it. That's what I see. :o) #10926452

Peter W. Marks December 21, 2013

Of course I knew you would want to do 'quite a bit' Dale which is why I left the door open for you! :0) I fully admit that I can only rarely see what I would change in an image unless it is something major. Ever since someone gave me the book 'Don't sweat the small stuff' that has become a mantra I live by. There have been in the past, relationships I have been in, where a person rarely smiles because they are concerned only with tiny negatives and rarely see the beauty in the bigger picture. I am not talking about photographs here but about Life; Life with all its richness and blessings.
Beth. I hope you don't mind me blathering away on your thread. I hope you will see it as a compliment in that it shows that the image you shared inspires a deeper thought than just the obvious. #10926521

Beth Spencer December 21, 2013

Thanks for the suggestions Peter and Dale. Stephen, thanks for your compliment.
I did Peter's suggestion and then Dales. I would like to get the very tip of the ice to stand out more. I have to go to work in a bit, so maybe tomorrow, I can try a filter or 2. Here is what I did, Thanks for the help. #10926536

Jeff E Jensen December 21, 2013

You could always light it on fire. . . . #10926702

Dale Hardin December 21, 2013

This is a problem with detailed suggestions, Beth. Your version of the result is nothing like what I'd suggested. I'll email you the result.

Isn't is strange that BP is now showing this thread as an image from Peter? #10926725

Peter W. Marks December 21, 2013

"Isn't is strange that BP is now showing this thread as an image from Peter?"
Yes it is Dale. I think BP's server has been at the sauce early this holiday.

#10926736

Beth Spencer December 22, 2013

Dale, I redid closer to your suggestion and I do like this better now!
Peter I never mind you, as you say "Blathering" on my thread... They are even acting like it is your thread for some reason!!
Jeff, I think it would be more fun to blow it up than lighting it on fire!! #10927312

Dale Hardin December 22, 2013

Looks good Beth. :O) now if the tilt was corrected ....... :o)

I know, Peter, picky, picky, picky. :o) #10927461

Beth Spencer December 22, 2013

Is it really tilted or is the ice so heavy it has the branch swayed?
If so how do you make a vertical straightening in elements? :) #10927469

Peter W. Marks December 22, 2013


"...how do you make a vertical straightening in Elements?" You don't Beth! You just ignore him and he will move on to straightening somebodies horizon. lol
Oh! You really want to appease the old codger? Try the following :-

Open image.
> click on View on menu bar
> click on Guide and ensure box on left is ticked.
Drag and drop blue vertical line from beside the ruler on left side over to the point where the twig holding the ornament joins it.
You will now see that the bottom tip of the icicle is a bit off to the left.
>click on Image
>click on Rotate on drop down menu
click on Custom
On Rotate Canvas drop down menu, enter 1.25
in small box and check 'Left' and 'OK' boxes
The whole image will twist counter clockwise and the two ends of the ornament will line up perfectly (well that is until Dale sees it and suggest you should have entered 1.283 in the little box :0)
All that is left to do now is to use the crop tool to remove the pink canvas that has appeared.
Give that a try Beth. #10927543

Dale Hardin December 22, 2013

Or Beth, you can do it the easy way using the straighten tool.

Click and hold the left mouse key and place the cursor at top of area you want straightened vertically, press and hold control key, and then drag the mouse down to the bottom of your vertical reference point. Release and the image will straighten to the line. #10927559

Dale Hardin December 22, 2013

By the way, you are probably right about the weight of the ice causing this, but none the less, it makes the image "look" tilted, so would still suggest straightening it. #10927563

Rita K. Connell level-classic December 22, 2013

Beth what an awesome find. it does look like and ornament for sure. out of all the images posted I really like the your second one that they are give credit to peter for. I like that the blue is one the outside on the left. its less distracting for me I agree Beth blowing it up would be cooler than setting on fire. #10927599

Beth Spencer December 22, 2013

I straightened it using both techniques and I am not telling which one. Thank you Peter and Dale, you guys are funny!
Seriously I did learn a new way to go about getting something straight. I just want to know how you guys always tell something is just a bit off?
Rita thanks! The second one was Peter doing a screen shot and now all the threads are about the Peter's photo! #10927620

Dale Hardin December 22, 2013

That's easy, Beth. I always knew he was a bit off right from the beginning. :o) #10927634

Michael Kelly level-classic December 23, 2013

Sorry so late - busy time of year. I like the shot and the last edit the best. Great find and nicely captured. #10928052

Beth Spencer December 23, 2013

Thanks Mike
#10928115

Susan Williams December 24, 2013

I'm so late to the party -- been down with a hard drive crash 'n burn. Thoroughly enjoyed this thread and I love the last edit. That's some serious icing, Beth. Nice eye and a great December capture. #10928473

Beth Spencer December 24, 2013

Thanks so much! #10928616

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