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The Universe in a Leaf
The Universe in a Leaf
randomcheese


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Outdoor Macro Shot II (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-60D
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Location: McMurray, PA
Date: Apr 13, 2013
Aperture: 2.8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/125
Date Uploaded: Apr 13, 2013

Got my feet wet with this one!
This is a decaying leaf from last fall caught in some rocks about 1/2" below the surface of the water in a creek (hence the refractions and caustics).

I adjusted the contrast and saturation a little in Lightroom and exported that, the made a black/white and exported that also. Finally I loaded the two into photoshop and used a radial donut gradient to mask between the two.

Statistics
Place: 115 out of 144
Avg (all users): 5.0729
Avg (commenters): 7.0000
Avg (participants): 5.0800
Avg (non-participants): 5.0652
Views since voting: 321
Views during voting: 197
Votes: 96
Comments: 3
Favorites: 1 (view)


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AuthorThread
04/26/2013 08:36:59 PM
*** Critique Club ***

Hi Scott, this is a critique from the CC. I see that you're a relatively new member to DPC, so welcome!

As will all things, opinions are subjective and personal, so please take this critique with a grain of salt. Hopefully it will be a learning experience for us both.

For the challenge of Outdoor Macro, you selected an interesting subject in a decaying leaf. I say interesting, because decaying leaves often have a lot of character to them, like worn leather shoes. They have holes, tears, rough edges etc. This character makes for an interesting subject.

While you've selected a great subject, I do feel that your choice of processing has "alienated" the voter mass somewhat. Not that I think what you did was wrong (I do like unconventional processing myself), merely that I feel I have a good feel of what is generally desired by the DPC crowd. The decision to neither for a nice colorful image nor a B&W, but instead a "hybrid" of the two makes the image feel very disjointed and creates an uncomfortable sensation in that what the viewer sees is very disparate from what they expect to see. I personally would've selected one method or the other. Selective desaturation is a great technique to highlight a particular point in the image to bring the viewers attention to. In your image, the desat is sporadic and seems to follow no apparent purpose. Thus a sensation of disjointedness.

Otherwise, the image seems a little flat on lighting -- the tonal range is pretty small so lacks the dynamic punch of a well lit leaf.

These two elements I think affected the voters, resulting in your score of ~5.

Hope this critique has helped some. Feel free to PM me to discuss any of my ideas/thoughts.

Kind regards
Garry

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
04/21/2013 10:58:04 PM
lovely abstraction
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/18/2013 10:28:54 PM
One of those images were I am not sure what I am supposed to look at, I find the colors to be somewhat interesting but then my eyes go to the black and white blurry area which makes the image seem confusing. As an abstract image it falls short of making me personally want this on my wall but may appeal to others. Good luck in the challenge and I look forward to seeing the thoughts others may have about this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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