Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Here's a step up from the last challenge. A very different part of the world and the people are different, too.
A Russian lady, in charge of the tour bus, told me in Europe and America smiles are cheap. In Russia smiles are expensive. Odd thing to say, right? I knew what she meant, many Russian people are kind of dour.
It's not that they are unkind. The ones I got to know were caring and kind but ready smiles were rare. They say the Scots are dour, having met plenty they've got nothing on the Russians.

Anyway, here's Moscow at night. Your challenge is to keep it a night scene but recreate the beauty of the lights and the buildings. Make it a place travelers would want to visit.
Watch out for all the problems that may make your image worth less than five thumbs. You can do this, give it your best shot.

Sorry no RAW file. You'll be fine with this jpg.

Work Image - Have Fun

(Download)

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

The download came as a .png instead of a .jpg, if that matters.

MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

By the way, even though I do not participate, I look forward to these challenges and I enjoy following them.

Mike

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Fun to work on. I tried to give it a long exposure look.

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deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

This is my first try in this group - VERY new at PP but would love the feedback!

(Download)

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Great job, R.G. Almost perfect long exposure look. In your enthusiasm you made the buildings a tad too bright for a night shot. Good work, worth four and one half thumbs:

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

A worthy try and welcome, deerker. As you are new I'll give a little detailed feedback: your image is too bright. The sky is not night time. more blue storm clouds. Zoom in on your clouds and you'll see a lot of noise (noise is that grainy look). Learn to eliminate noise. Selections may help you enorously, learn how to make precise selections and what feathering will do for you. The buildings are also too bright. The many trees are solid black, but the lights would show some green and at least some detail in the trees. Whatever adjustments you used ease back on them. For example: it's not a sin to move a slider as far as it will go to see what happens. When that's obviously wrong, move the slider back until you get the look you want. You may need to move the slider to and fro over a short distance until you hit the sweet spot. Be sure to give your computer time to figure out what you are doing, with many programs things happen slowly. If you can't get something satisfactory with that adjustment tool, click undo and try a different tool. Experiment as much you like. If you screw the image up, close the file without saving. You'll be back to the original image.
A bold first attempt that gets you three thumbs:

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Thanks for your support, Mike. If you read all the comments from the time the Challenges started you'll pick up a lot of tips. Practice what you learn and when you are ready post your interpretation. Everyone had to take the plunge. Without members taking up the challenge this section will fold. Give us your support, Mike.

Tatia Loc: Nv

Here is my attempt.

(Download)

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Welcome, Tatia. An excellent first attempt. The buildings, trees, and lights are outstanding. However, the sky is a tad too bright, and there is noise in the clouds.
A well deserved four thumbs.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

Thank you so much! I definitely see what you are talking about - I think I need to use my zoom tool more and adjust with that in mind too. I don't see the noise like I should. This was a fun one to practice on and I am going to use it to practice some more :)

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

My ole eyes did not notice I had a hard brush setting ... easy to see in the sky on download.
Ahh well.

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Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Thanks for your comment, deer2ker. Oops! Is the word that comes to mind. You can avoid that kind of error by learning to make accurate selections. By making a selection of the sky you can play with brushes and darken or lighten the sky to your hearts content. Because you have made a selection of the sky nothing will change outside of the selection, in this case the buildings, lights, and river. Take a look at your Help file for 'Selection' or browse the videos for your program on Youtube. You get two thumbs for posting your effort. I'm sure it will help others.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

I made a bad error and sent this comment to deer2ker. My apologies to dannac and deer2ker.

Thanks for your interpretation, dannac. Oops! Is the word that comes to mind. You can avoid that kind of error by learning to make accurate selections. By making a selection of the sky you can play with brushes and darken or lighten the sky to your hearts content. Because you have made a selection of the sky nothing will change outside of the selection, in this case the buildings, lights, and river. Take a look at your Help file for 'Selection' or browse the videos for your program on Youtube. You get two thumbs for posting your effort. I'm sure it will help others.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

(Download)