crop
rotate
crop again
auto levels
auto color
curves
resize
save for web
unsharp mask
I wanted to do something with the painted figurines I have - not alive, but giving the suggestion of something alive. I thought it would be an interesting take on Still Life, but once again I'm not sure if I met the challenge very well. And I think I'm going to have to learn more about ISO because I keep having problems with noise. If this were advanced editing I'd clone out the fuzzy bits over the dragon's arm and the unicorn's horn, and see if I could do anything about the harsh background line underneath the unicorn.
I worked very hard with the composition, lighting, and focus, and am pleased with them, but suggestions for improvements in these areas, as well as the areas in the previous paragraph, are of course more than welcome.
Statistics
Place: 275 out of 338 Avg (all users): 4.3275 Avg (commenters): 4.0000 Avg (participants): 4.1222 Avg (non-participants): 4.4604 Views since voting: 998 Views during voting: 301 Votes: 229 Comments: 7 Favorites: 1 (view)
As a general rule, images of ornaments, toys and other bits and pieces which can be found around the home don't tend to get a good reception in challenges.
With regard to this image, I find the composition OK, but the lighting doesn't add anything to the atmosphere. Sure its bright enough and sharp enough, but stories of dragons and such need atmospheric lighting. A single low power light source or even some light painting might have provided something more.
I think the lighting is fine and the focus is plenty sharp. Although you say you put a lot of effort into the composition and lighting, it is not readily apparent - I'm not sure what I would do to improve the shot - oh wait, I would have lit something on fire - but that doesn't work well for me with the voters either. LOL If you're pleased with the shot then be happy. :)
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
