In the still of the night...
by Socom

Comment by jamesgoss:
this would be a lot stronger with the trees a bit more in focus, and a tighter crop. right now the lighting seems puny and insignificant, cropping more off the left half would make the scene feel more ominous.

Chipmunk on a leisurely stroll...
by Socom

Comment by Eaglerapids:
Lol, Socom, you got me on that one:-).

Check Mate
by Socom

Comment by Socom:
rhoadesurf good call on the placement. The clear Bishop must have gotten moved during the shooting, should be one space to the left (of how its played)

Check Mate
by Socom

Comment by jaynek:
Good idea - it works

Chasing Waterfalls
by Socom

Comment by rubentinajero7:
Im surprised this didn't do better, It's a great picture!

Can't Be Fenced In
by Socom

Comment by bohemka:
Hey Clay, you may hate this edit, but for better or worse I've found it takes this kind of contrast to grab attention here. Salmiakki said it right: If you like it it doesn't matter. But if you do care about getting higher votes, my experience is that you've got to push the envelope with processing.

So here is a stab at that, for better or worse.

Alone in the mist..
by Socom

Comment by Socom:
Ja-9

Sensor Dust.. I suck, I just wrote in another, I am not sure how I am missing those. I have some dust between the glass on my lens, its a pain. I will be more careful to triple check next time.

Cropping the image more was a thought, however, I liked the feel of the tree in the distance and felt that would take away from it. I didnt really care for the black sticks, but thought I would get in trouble for removing them.

Your not the first to mention flat tone.. and really have to figure out what to do about that. I will check out the Silver Efex you were talking about.

I use CS5. I just started using Photomatrix for some HDR stuff (fences was done with that). I also just started using Topaz Adjust (waterfalls image used that) I am still new to both of those programs. My PP work sucks, I dont get it, I look at an image and I almost always feel I have done to much and put it back. Maybe because I can see the before and after. I dont know :/

Can't Be Fenced In
by Socom

Comment by Socom:
Salmiakki,

PP is without a doubt where I lack, honestly most of the time I prefer it straight out of the camera, but have found on DPC most like some PP work done to it. that being said, with the work you did, it seems a tad to much for me. So I would not lean that far into it. Most notable is the whites in the one section of the cloud, looks almost blown out to me. Now of course, I know you didnt do this for a challenge and so I am sure this is not what you would yourself hand in. Just a quick observation. I took out more of the sky, as I have read on multiple pictures that the extra sky is not appreciated and I also felt removing it made the clouds more ominous.

As for the sensor dust.. didnt even notice I missed some.. that annoys me to.. is there an easier way to highlight that, iv looked back at a couple of my shots and have seen where I missed some.

Thank you for the comment.. every thing is helpful when trying to learn how to better your photography :)

Can't Be Fenced In
by Socom

Comment by salmiakki:
Thought I would give you some feedback since you are clearly wanting it. I confess, I gave you a 4 for this one. You did quite well with an average of 5.7. Why did I give it a 4?

a) the composition didn't really work for me. I'd have cropped it a bit differently. Either I'd have removed more of the sky and left the clouds, or then kept the sky as it is in the original.
b) the image is very flat, lacking in contrast (can happen after tonemapping with Photomatix).
c) the border. I think in this instance the image would have worked better without the border or then it should have been a black border, the grey just highlights the lack of contrast in the image.

And the last point, is the sensor dust. When you are presenting an image for voting I think it's sloppy not to pay attention to these things (believe me, I have learned the hard way on that point!) I equate it to having multiple spelling and grammar errors in a job application letter. You want to do well, then make sure you present yourself (or your image) in the best possible light.

I took the liberty of working up your original keeping the B&W theme. Sky is still a bit noisy, but as you don't have Topaz DeNoise, I didn't use it (and I didn't bother with the dust either as this is just an example) The editing would comply with the basic ruleset and could be accomplished in Photoshop Elements (not sure what software you have). You got quite a few comments during voting, most of which should have helped you figure out what did or didn't work. Someone commented about not liking the border. You didn't feel this was helpful, and yet I would say, it's very helpful towards understanding why some have scored you lower.



ETA. I do like the image, but I feel you didn't make the best out of it. Remember, at the end of the day, if you like it, then that's what counts.

Why not throw the original into the Post Processing Side challenge and see what other people may come up with? This sort of side challenge is really an excellent way to learn.
Post Processing Side Challenge

Message edited by author 2011-05-21 04:49:54.

Chipmunk on a leisurely stroll...
by Socom

Comment by Socom:
I am having an issue with my camera, it is back focusing, I have been leary of trying to repair it (its a screw on the Nikon) I guess I should just take the plunge. I have tested it following multiple suggestions and it is back focusing for sure, I try to compensate but not very well.

There is NO chipmunk.. this was the Chipmunks POV, if he/she were walking through the area. :)

Thank you again for the comments, I will return the favor.