Peters suggestion Beths image crop
Uploaded: December 20, 2013
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.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 Spencer December 21, 2013
Thanks for the suggestions Peter and Dale. Stephen, thanks for your compliment.Jeff E Jensen December 21, 2013
You could always light it on fire. . . . #10926702Dale 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?"#10926736
Beth Spencer December 22, 2013
Dale, I redid closer to your suggestion and I do like this better now!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?Peter W. Marks December 22, 2013
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. #10927563Rita K. Connell 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. #10927599Beth 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!Dale Hardin December 22, 2013
That's easy, Beth. I always knew he was a bit off right from the beginning. :o) #10927634Michael Kelly 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. #10928052Beth Spencer December 23, 2013
Thanks MikeSusan 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. #10928473Beth Spencer December 24, 2013
Thanks so much! #10928616Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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