This is an experimental shot. I've run the real image through Fractalius on a separate layer, lowered the opacity greatly, and masked out the fallen tree in the water, so it only affects the surroundings. What do you think?

I love the first one. Perfect title for it.
I might be tempted to crop out even more of the water. For me the strength of the image is in the almost abstract appearance of the many trees. The water takes away from it a little by being too "realistic".
Ute

Thanks for the tip Ute, I think you are right, and cropping away about half the water would be a good starting point.

Thank you.

Hi, Whayne. The first shot is awesome. And, I am not sure about cropping out the water. Normally, I would. However, the texture of the water corresponds with the entangled setting it passes. It seems to share that same woven pattern.

Very cool.

Cheers,
Ed

Hey thanks Ed, maybe I'll wait and see what others think about the water.

very cool, i've see that fractalius a lot and really like its effect. i'm with ute about the crop - that's the first thing i thought immediately.

Thanks Bin for the input.

Yes fractalius is very cool and you can make an infinite number of variations. It requires some grunt though.

Wayne I think #1 works with or with out the water, the water just gives it a little depth.
thanks charles354

Hi Whayne,

The first is a really nice scene. Lots to look at. I like the tone you chose for this as well.

The second is a nice shack shot. I like the PP on this.

JBR

Interesting image Whayne. Normally a shot like this would be far too busy to really have a visual focal point but in this case there is a shadow hole in the middle that works quite well to alleviate that symptom. A little less water would help as others have already pointed out.

The shack shot is a nice conversion - you have some great details and contrasts in that one that leave my eyes wandering all around the scene enjoying the visual treats.

Alan

Whayne

Very cool set here really like your conversion and toning on both of these #1 really stands out for me with that glow effect, very nice work

Ray Still

Thanks Charles and John for the comments, glad you like the shots.

Alan, I used the fractalius layer to reduce the harshness of the background. It was as you say way too busy and I was thinking it was maybe not worth processing, but then I had the idea about fractalius and I think that has really helped a lot. I'm glad I persevered as I like how it has come out. I have found that I seem to mainly prefer my B&W with a warmer tone, and this one really lent itself to a golden/sepia hue.

This was my second attempt on the shack and I really like how it has turned out.

Thanks for the input Alan, much appreciated.

I'm with the 'crop the water' crowd. Perhaps 2/3 of it.
Love both of these. Beautiful chaos in the 1st, and you know I like the cool old shacks in the 2nd.

Barry

very cool shots -- love the complexity and detail in #1, and the repetition of patterns in the trees and water

That's a really neat effect! Very nicely done Whayne.