"O"
by phlover

Comment:
Back to comment: Amazing how it's knotted up that way. Well spotted :) What I don't like about this image is the background. Too many black voids with seemingly disembodied stuff floating around. Maybe a different angle or shallower dof to throw the bg completely oof would have made a stronger image?

A is for Avian
by MaryO

Comment:
Back to comment: Well seen! Great sharpness and contrast. The blown highlights are noticeable, but I can't decide whether or it truly hurts this image.

Dos Equis
by Lonz

Comment:
Back to comment: I also see XIX (19) in Roman numerals. Doesn't mean anything of course, just what I saw before reading the title :)

A pleasant image made a little more interesting because of the out of focus foreground. Slightly bothersome that the angle is skewed though. Taking the shot straight on would have levelled the lines and provided strength in the symmetry.

C
by mischiefsgirl

Comment:
Back to comment: Unsure how to critique this since the choices you made with post processing here is likely in line with your own personal artistic taste. Not a bad thing though!, and it IS interesting (in a clipart sort of way), just doesn't particularly resonate with me.

I'd encourage you to keep exploring new ways to present your vision, even if you receive less than favourable review. Still is a pleasure to come across something a little different once in a while :)

IMG_5916.jpg
by talj

Comment:
Hey, that's sneaky! Thought I'd commented on all the Ickworth House ones. You're just trying to mess with my head ;)

So, did you pp this one? The light looks a lot brighter here. Or it could be just because it's a closer shot.

Anyways, the closer you get, the more I want you to crop out (or clone out). The tree top above the building on the left and the bit of tree coming in at right of frame, have to go!

I played around with this one for a bit of fun.

Cloned out the trees I mentioned above.
Converted to duotone.
Curves adjustment.
Dup layer and added diffuse glow with grain (just to see how it looked and I liked it).
Vignette in soft-light blend mode.
A bit more burning around edges of frame.

Curves
by talj

Comment:
She's a breathtaking old Lady. Your documentation of her is outstanding. I do love all the curves and lines through this. Wonderful shadows draped across the lawn too.

There's not much I can critique here, save for maybe pulling up some more detail in the shadows. I'd have most certainly taken the exact same photograph when faced with such a complex visual feast.

Wonder if the original architects and ground planners took every single angle into consideration...

Leaving Ickworth
by talj

Comment:
Improvements in ps, hmmm? Ok, first thing I would do is a basic clean up. Completely burn out the lit path beyond the fence line and patches of light coming through the trees at the end, as well as cloning out the bits 'n pieces on the grass.

Then I'd convert to duotone (I prefer dark browns rather than black), and throw a radial vignette (white inside/black outside, 150%) over the top in soft-light blend mode.

Howzat? :)

Ickworth House (again!)
by talj

Comment:
Is it just me, or is the horizon falling to the left...? Likely just me! :D

This is great, I love the low down perspective that the extra pathway adds to this. Turning the camera over to portrait orientation in this exact position, would have given you some extra sky. Although, having said that, you may have had to sacrifice some important elements in the shot - a lot of the gardens.

It's definitely a great study Natalya. I think if you have the chance to go back again, try earlier in the morning or very late afternoon. Long shadows could add some interesting effects.

Ickworth House
by talj

Comment:
Yeah, now this is what I meant by more path/less sky. Though I prefer the vertical crop of the first, this one feels right in terms of classic thirds. A lot more symmetry and balance, but that's not to say that it's better or anything, just that the first would be something you would likely hang on a wall for artistic pleasure, and this one (that follows those darn rules)would be perfect for tourism and postcards.... unless of course, you grunge it up with gritty dark sepia and more of that dodge and burn I mentioned earlier - then you're back to art again ;)

Ickworth House - T Style!
by talj

Comment:
First thing I notice is the quality of light, feels warm like looking through a tinted window. Used a polariser maybe? Don't be afraid to push the exposure if you have a filter on. You can still keep the stunning blues in the sky at f11 (or more) but knock the shutter speed right down til you're over about a stop. Shouldn't be a prob with a tripod anyway. In any event, you can more or less play around with curves in PS and see what happens.

As for composition, you've definitely got the right idea. I would suggest though, a little less sky and a little more path. I'm not getting enough of a lead in, I almost miss it completely and I'm drawn in to the second story rather than the front entrance.

Have you tried this in b&w? Some fancy dodge and burn on the path and archways and windows for drama!