Golden Hour Swan - texturized: I spent a lot of time trying to decide where and how much of the leaves to include, and am still unsure. I've posted some pieces for you to work on the...

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I spent a lot of time trying to decide where and how much of the leaves to include, and am still unsure. I've posted some pieces for you to work on the puzzle, should you desire.

The "golden hour" was created by using a piece of my dirty window pic (see the last one of the group here), in hard light blend mode.

The leaves were added to the pic using multiply blend mode, after being flipped and stretched more onto a larger canvass.

Thanks for your impressions, advice or demonstrations!

(Download)

(Download)

Inverted color and stretched
Inverted color and stretched...

(Download)

Dave Chinn

Some will say the leaves are a distraction, I say they work quite well. Without them, seems unfinished. You have added just enough to not be cluttered. Love the golden hour tone and think you deserve a well done with a high five.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I like the leaves, Linda.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nicely done Linda. I like the leaves. They frame the swan nicely and give needed depth to the image.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

I agree that the leaves are a useful addition, but I also think they distract a bit. I'd prefer them pulled back maybe 5-10% on both sides, so they don't touch the bird or its reflection. Lovely work here, Linda.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Dave Chinn wrote:

Some will say the leaves are a distraction, I say they work quite well. Without them, seems unfinished. You have added just enough to not be cluttered. Love the golden hour tone and think you deserve a well done with a high five.

Thank you so much, Dave. I'm very pleased you enjoyed!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

UTMike wrote:

I like the leaves, Linda.

Thanks Mike!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Curmudgeon wrote:

Nicely done Linda. I like the leaves. They frame the swan nicely and give needed depth to the image.

Thanks so much for your time, Jack.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

cbtsam wrote:

I agree that the leaves are a useful addition, but I also think they distract a bit. I'd prefer them pulled back maybe 5-10% on both sides, so they don't touch the bird or its reflection. Lovely work here, Linda.

Thank you very much, Sam. I fiddled a little, and like your idea. I want to go back to the original leaves, though, because for this posted edit I did a lot of masking and I'm ending up with too many snapped-off branches

Someone in another forum suggested I blur the leaves a little to add depth. Hadn't thought about that, either now, or in any previous composite work, so that was a useful idea. I'm starting to take notes again, because I can't remember a thing.

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

I really like this composite. Enjoyed the Golden Hour effect and feel the leaves make a nice addition adding depth and a frame. I might have tried pulling back the leaves/branch just a bit in 2 places, the dark one by the swan's tail feathers and the one on the bottom of the image by the reflected head of the swan. They do offer a continuing movement though, so may have put them back. Another captivating image.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

NikonGal wrote:

I really like this composite. Enjoyed the Golden Hour effect and feel the leaves make a nice addition adding depth and a frame. I might have tried pulling back the leaves/branch just a bit in 2 places, the dark one by the swan's tail feathers and the one on the bottom of the image by the reflected head of the swan. They do offer a continuing movement though, so may have put them back. Another captivating image.

Thanks so much for your time and detailed feedback, Bev! I'm very pleased that you enjoyed.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Be sure to show us the final version(s)!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

cbtsam wrote:

Be sure to show us the final version(s)!

LOL, I will try to stay focused this time rather than jumping into a new project

Many thanks!

veralisa296 Loc: New Jersey

So good Linda, so good.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Well how unusual I am going against the consensus so far. Let me suggest take out the branches and leaves the framing. And do a vignette. Either dark or light, to your liking.