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04/26/2007 01:25:17 PM |
Positives:
Very well composed and framed. Composition is the strength of this image. The angle on the grape vines has a nice flowing look that acts like leading lines right up to the sky.
Technicals:
HDR might not have worked well because the two images combined were really not the same. I'm no expert so could be wrong. In any regard, what you did was a sky replacment. The reason I know you did an above average job with the sky replacement is because I didn't notice it had been done when voting. Now that I know I reviewed it closer and can see the edging on some of the trees is a little sharper than it should be and noted the lighting on the grapes is a little flatter than it should be for that sky.
That aside, the biggest technical defect in this image is the overexposed sky. DPCers tend to tolerate overexposed patches in images moreso than the "real" world. Also, sky color is overdone with the lavender/blue color cast. Ironically, the color cast that I don't like made the thin levender part of the border a nice framing choice. :)
The Challenge:
Big shocker! This meets the challenge.
In expert editing voters expect higher technical quality than in other challenges and the color cast sky and overexposed patch may have hurt it in voting.
You got a 5.7 which is .3 or so above the overall DPC average .1 above the average for its specific challenge. Basically voters said it is OK but still average. Looks like the strength of composition counterbalanced the technicals.
I gave it a 6. That means I thought it was below average but not a failure. That is a damning score from me. The group liked it better than I did and that is unusual. The overexposed patch and the color cast is what brought down the image for me. Under normal conditions, like in your image, I think overexposed areas should almost never be allowed, especially under advanced and expert editing rules. In basic rules I'd feel the image should not be submitted at all.
Suggestions:
This is a great image and there is much that can be done to turn it into a ribbon contender.
First off, correct that hideous overexposure.(Is this the Simon Cowell coming out in me?) Its easier than you think. A simple trick is to clone light cloud or sky detail from another part of the image over the overexposed area. The key is to use a very low opacity feathered brush and paint in some detail, just don't go over 25% total. I guarantee you'll be AMAZED at the improvement and it won't look the least bit cloned.
Back off the magentas and blues in the sky. There are several ways to do that. One worth considering is simply to desaturate the sky some to make it look more naturally realistic with the ground while still maintaining the colors you want. You'll be surprised the amount of positive effect can that can come from a small amount of desaturation.
Apply dodging to lengthen and enhance the light beams in the sky for added drama and effect.
Sky Replacement Considerations
The things you have to keep in mind in sky replacements are:
1-You need a really good sky selection or mask to start with (looks like your selection or masking was good)
2-No matter how easy they tell you it is in tutorials you will ALWAYS have to "hand" work the boundaries. (I'm guessing you spent considerable time and effort with yours)
3-Any defects in your sky replacement processing will show up like a sore thumb in a print when you can get away with it in a web graphic. (Defects would in prints of this image)
4-It is paramount that your border softness is exactly the same pixel width as other similar areas of the image. Use blur tools for that.
5-Lighting quality and color, intensity and direction must be perfectly matched between sky and ground. Yours is OK but not great. Always strive for perfection because faults easily show up in sky replacements.
That being said, you might consider applying a bit of blurring to the sky/horizon boundary and darken the lighting on the grapes. Chosing a brush in mode "vivid light" set to black might make the lighting of the grapes more consistent with the sky and add an attractive dusk-like glow to it. You might consider an overall darkening, sorta like an internal vignette, near the horizon for a more natural transitional look. |
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 Photographer found comment helpful. |
Comments Made During the Challenge  |
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04/24/2007 04:57:31 AM |
| One of the better sun focused shots in the set. Great location and composition, excfellent shot. |
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04/23/2007 11:27:04 PM |
| Oh, very nice. I've always wanted to stop the car and take a picture like this one. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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04/23/2007 09:35:36 PM |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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04/23/2007 12:12:09 AM |
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04/21/2007 01:12:03 PM |
| nice shot - good colors and depth |
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04/20/2007 08:09:33 AM |
| Great shot? Is that Michigan? |
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04/18/2007 06:12:50 PM |
| Wow! This is really neat. The large DOF is perfect and the sky is great. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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04/18/2007 12:04:48 PM |
| I love lights piercing through skies, but the violet hue is a bit too much for my taste. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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04/18/2007 12:03:45 PM |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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04/18/2007 01:14:26 AM |
| mmm Grapes, good color and composition. 8 |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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