It was a watercolor kind of morning: aka going to my happy place :sm02: I tried to keep the effect subtle by using other edits and filters - going for a feeling of silent serenity half...

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

aka going to my happy place

I tried to keep the effect subtle by using other edits and filters - going for a feeling of silent serenity half an hour after sunrise. I've already cropped a little from the right side, wondering if needs more? My "problem" is part of the appeal of this scene for me is the wide open space.

I would appreciate any comments regarding my own stated goals + your personal response. Thanks so much.

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R.G. Loc: Scotland

I would say the shot conveys enough of a sense of space and distance that you could lose a little off of the right (not enough to lose the whole of that reed plant). I would also be inclined to clone out those poles on the far bank and in the reflection, and possibly get rid of the buildings along the shore line.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I love the way the leadinglines make my eye travel around the image...absolutely beautiful.

amersfoort

What a lovely view. It would be great to sit there for a few hours with a book in hand (and a glass or two of wine).

As far as the photo goes why did you crop it? It seems to me that the wider the better. I would take out the bird(?) in the sky on the left hand side. My eyes are drawn to it and it distracts me from the real subject matter.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

R.G. wrote:

I would say the shot conveys enough of a sense of space and distance that you could lose a little off of the right (not enough to lose the whole of that reed plant). I would also be inclined to clone out those poles on the far bank and in the reflection, and possibly get rid of the buildings along the shore line.

Thanks for your time, R.G.!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Laura72568 wrote:

I love the way the leadinglines make my eye travel around the image...absolutely beautiful.

Thank you, Laura. I'm so glad you enjoyed!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

amersfoort wrote:

What a lovely view. It would be great to sit there for a few hours with a book in hand (and a glass or two of wine).

As far as the photo goes why did you crop it? It seems to me that the wider the better. I would take out the bird(?) in the sky on the left hand side. My eyes are drawn to it and it distracts me from the real subject matter.

Thank you for your keen eye catching the tiny bird, amersfoot! I cropped a little because the image seemed a bit unbalanced - more light on the left, along with the mountain and the ducks. Seemed like the right side was kind of "nothing." But, I'll confess if I were to print it would be original aspect of 3:2

I appreciate your time and interest!

repleo Loc: Boston

Beautiful Linda. How you will divulge your processing methods. I like the way the mountains and far shore intersect with the line of the bright light in the sky and the vee in the water so I wouldn't mess with the crop. However, if you haven't already tried it, I'd experiment with a 16:9 format starting in the top left hand corner and cropping out the grass at the bottom. I think this would help with the space and openess, but suspect it would be at the expense of balance and proportion.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I am confident you met your stated goal! This is one of the most serene and relaxing landscapes I have seen. It makes me want to breathe slowly and deeply while taking it all in. My favorite area in this scene is the foreground reeds with the blue sky and silvery cloud reflection in the V formed by the ducks. That is breathtaking! I am bothered by the black spot in the sky on the left side. It is hard to tell if it is a bird or not so I would be better without it. Other than that, I think you are there and should only make further changes if there is something that bothers you. If this were my shot I would be ecstatically happy!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

repleo wrote:

Beautiful Linda. How you will divulge your processing methods. I like the way the mountains and far shore intersect with the line of the bright light in the sky and the vee in the water so I wouldn't mess with the crop. However, if you haven't already tried it, I'd experiment with a 16:9 format starting in the top left hand corner and cropping out the grass at the bottom. I think this would help with the space and openess, but suspect it would be at the expense of balance and proportion.

Thank you so much for your interest, Phil! Here is a screen print of the original photo (shot in raw) with the layers turned off.

Working via PS Elements 13:
1. Topaz Simplify watercolor at 70% opacity, slight adjustment within Topaz to give more detail than the pre-set.
2. Nik Color Efex sunlight filter at 45%, with much of the area masked from the effect.
3. Nik Viveza to add structure (details) back in, about 30% I think, but not sure.
4. levels adjustment (darker midtones)

Also below is one possibility with 16:9. I wouldn't want the ducks to be any lower, and this still leaves reeds showing, unfortunately.

Thank you again! And please don't hesitate to ask for further info or clarification. I'm not the best one to follow re editing steps because I often don't have a firm plan, so the result might be achieved in a round-about way

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Cwilson341 wrote:

I am confident you met your stated goal! This is ... (show quote)

Thank you so much for taking the time to view and offer feedback, Carol. The black speck is indeed a bird, and will be dealt with post haste

So glad you enjoyed the scene!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

It a lovely scene and nicely treated in post. Sorta thing we would all crop differently so for my two cents worth i would get rid of weeds at the front by cropping up some and cloning out the rest and crop in from the right just to compress the scene a little. But as I said give this to a dozen people and you end up with a dozen crops. Its nice as is so maybe just listen to no one and follow your first thoughts.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Linda From Maine wrote:

aka going to my happy place img src="https://stat... (show quote)

Beautiful scene with great visual balance of the elements, aided by a fortuitous cloud arrangement that was well spotted and well utilized, and the whole thing is very nicely processed. The color palette is really lovely. You certainly captured that mood of early morning serenity with all its beauty. I do think it would be better off with either more of none of those pesky weeds, and I am keenly aware of how hard it is to get rid of them since I've spent 10 days shooting in similar situations and have a ton of files with those same weeds in them. Taxing as it is, I think it might be worth cloning them out, simply because of the beauty of this image.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I really really like this shot and your work on it!! I too would remove the bird on the left, but for me the reeds give a sense of size and distance, and a comparative anchor...definitely leave the buildings on the far side, also a comparative tool! It has a soft, dreamy, feel to it! I really like it!

TheeGambler Loc: The green pastures of Northeast Texas

Linda, I think you met your goal of going for "spacious!" It does give a feeling of soft, dreamy, space.. I like your processing a lot! It really makes this piece comfy and peaceful!

Only one suggestion. Maybe blend the two ducks, more into the foreground. These ducks might be the darkest and sharpest thing, in this scene. But, this is really a small thing compared to the great pp you have done.

TG