tree before and after: I picked what looked like a problem photo out of a pano of the front yard to work on in lr 4.4. The 8x10 has been setting for a couple of weeks kind of growing...

Old Boots Loc: Caldwell Co., Texas

I picked what looked like a problem photo out of a pano of the front yard to work on in lr 4.4. The 8x10 has been setting for a couple of weeks kind of growing on me. See what you think and make any changes or pp you like to get a better finish. Thanks, Lee

original

after

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I like the detail in the tree coming out, but the vignette is too heavy. Also, the white fence just completely ruins the moment for me. Sorry, just being honest.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

bkyser wrote:

I like the detail in the tree coming out, but the vignette is too heavy. Also, the white fence just completely ruins the moment for me. Sorry, just being honest.

There is a principle of composition (I dislike "rules" and anyway they are often broken to stunning effect) that it's not good to have something such as this really unattractive fence smack across the frame so as to "prevent the viewer from entering." Unless the fence is the subject (and the subject in this case is the tree), this fence is a real obstruction. It makes the tree unapproachable. :)

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Chuck_893 wrote:

There is a principle of composition (I dislike "rules" and anyway they are often broken to stunning effect) that it's not good to have something such as this really unattractive fence smack across the frame so as to "prevent the viewer from entering." Unless the fence is the subject (and the subject in this case is the tree), this fence is a real obstruction. It makes the tree unapproachable. :)

In sympathy with every word of Chuck's I have to admit that had I chosen to attempt making an image of that scene it would have been an act of masochism ... but a learning experience none-the-less!

I'd really like to understand the sort of image previsualized by the artist...?

Dave in SD

Old Boots Loc: Caldwell Co., Texas

This is part of a pano that was under exposed. No real beforehand image, just a try to see what could be done. I have lr 5 coming so the fence may be a project for the "healing brush". If anyone wants to give a go please do.
The vignette was to distract from the tools.
Lee

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Old Boots wrote:

See what you think and make any changes or pp you like to get a better finish. Thanks, Lee

I cloned out all the blurred, out of focus, underexposed and distracting or uninteresting features and replaced them with something nice.

Nightski

Dave, I think this one is a shot that you need to use the delete button on. I say that with the kindest intentions.

Can you go down to the swamp, and focus on the tree that you want? Try doing it when there's a nice sunrise or sunset, or maybe some fog on the swamp. We don't all have beaches to infinity like W/R but some gorgeous shots can be taken in this area. They just take a little planning.

and W/R....I assume you asked the OP's permission to post an example photo, although I don't know what this has to do with taking shots in his area.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Nightski wrote:

Dave, I think this one is a shot that you need to ... (show quote)

I didn't post an example photo, this is an edit just as I described it. Cheers, Rob,

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I think its a boring snapshot that should be deleted.

Old Boots wrote:

I picked what looked like a problem photo out of a pano of the front yard to work on in lr 4.4. The 8x10 has been setting for a couple of weeks kind of growing on me. See what you think and make any changes or pp you like to get a better finish. Thanks, Lee

Old Boots Loc: Caldwell Co., Texas

Thanks w/r but after over 3 years at sea in the Merchant Marines there is nothing nice about sand and salt water to me. Thanks anyway. Lee

Try This

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Nightski wrote:

Dave, I think this one is a shot that you need to ... (show quote)

Nightski:
It's in the latest version of LR, under "tools", select "sarcasm" , adjust to far right....

;-)

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Old Boots wrote:

Thanks w/r but after over 3 years at sea in the Merchant Marines there is nothing nice about sand and salt water to me. Thanks anyway. Lee

What about some luverly mountains then.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I agree, it will never be a wall hanger, but as the OP stated, he was more interested in what could be done it given his software options. I chose a little different approach in I looked as the tree line as a challenge to brighten another wise dull boring sky. Knowing trees and hair are perhaps the hardest items to mask in photo shop work. I chose to give the sky some color using Topaz, to define between the leaves and sky. It's still not a wall hanger. LOL

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Old Boots wrote:

I picked what looked like a problem photo out of a pano of the front yard to work on in lr 4.4. The 8x10 has been setting for a couple of weeks kind of growing on me. See what you think and make any changes or pp you like to get a better finish. Thanks, Lee

Old Boots Loc: Caldwell Co., Texas

Thanks W/R. That is nice. I was going to ask you for some mountains if you have anything in Australia that qualifies. We certainly don't have any here in South Texas.
My LR5 just came in the mail. I'll use your version as a target to see if I can get close. What all did you use to improve it that much?