Hi "DP"!
These are MY opinions only:
1st-Vignetting in both corners is distracting.
The colors are a bit flat although the scene is pleasant. Maybe wrong time of year for tonal contrasts. The foreground is a bit too dark lending to the former statement.
The foreground is sharp but the detail/sharpness fades as you get "into" the image. The sky is very soft.
I am not close to being very knowledgeable about PP techniques but I believe someone here could help you make this image have more contrast and "pop".
Good luck!~
Dan
I actually like the subdued colors. Not every photo needs to be super saturated. I feel the desaturation and vignetting add a gloomy atmosphere to the photo overall. It makes me feel lost in an abandoned world, with the fence being the remnants of humanity.
I do think that despite the color processing, the high clouds on the upper left betray what sort of day it actually was, as I would associate them with a bright, blue sky. Foreboding storm clouds would really have set the atmosphere.
There's quite a few directions one could take this image. I like this treatment - feels of some foreboding coming in from the right. A nicely balanced composition that would work punched up or in B&W.
I'd say it works. It's a matter of taste how to present it, and I rather like your vision for the presentation.
I like the composition of the photograph. As far as Photoshop is concerned, I agree that vignetting is the Achilles' heel of this shot. If this for my shot, I would try to correct that vignetting and also try to increase the contrast slightly with curves , specifically to bring more attention to the fence and the grass in the foreground because I think those areas are the strongest part of the picture.
To be the image is a bit soft and flat. Some people like the flat or subdued look but I prefer images that POP. It looks like I'm looking at this scene with dirty sunglasses. As someone else stated, the vignetting is a bit distracting.
Without knowing what your goals for the image were, it's hard to offer feedback. I tend to go for realism over the heavy manipulation.
BigJoe wrote:
I do think that despite the color processing, the high clouds on the upper left betray what sort of day it actually was, as I would associate them with a bright, blue sky. Foreboding storm clouds would really have set the atmosphere.
If you want to get really creative, if you photoshop out the lighter clouds to the left of the darker, more stormy-looking clouds, and desaturate the blue out of the sky, then you could "fake" a storm.
Thanks to ALL of you, guys - excellent comments..and I agree with many of them!!!
BigJoe, you see, that's what a knowledgable pair of eyes could do to you - never noticed the fluffy high cloud on the left and you are right - it spoils the idea..:-)
Very cool work! I like the look very much. And I agree with what BigJoe spotted in the sky should be looked at. Simply totally desaturating that area should work. This is a very cool look, and quite moody. It's definately not your Mothers Landscape shot, but not every landscape shot has to be.
Going against the flow here; I *like* the vignetting. I think it adds a feeling of gloom. I rather like the over-all desaturation here. I'd suggest toning down the bright blue in the sky just a bit more.
This isn't a pretty-postcard picture. You've used techniques to give it a particular "feel", and you succeeded.
This goes well beyond landscape photography and decidedly into fine art. Well done.
I also like the desaturated look and composition. The foreground vignetting is fine. I'd just reduce it in the sky. My primary nit-pick is the bright bright cloud.
