Through a Dartmoor Window: I used the same title for a post at the end of last year but the nobody thought much of the image - a sports car through the window. Not enough Dartmoor.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I used the same title for a post at the end of last year but the nobody thought much of the image - a sports car through the window. Not enough Dartmoor.
Here are a couple of similar shots, one from the same pub, Warren House Inn, and the other from The Dartmoor Inn. Both quite isolated spots and very popular with walkers.
The first is a Ps composite and the second simply tweaked in Lr. I like dark images, where the shadows keep their secrets, but I know not everyone does. What do you think of them, and would you have done them differently?

(Download)

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I love the mood of both and no.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

#1 is simpler and tells a clearer story. In #2 I don't care for the chair back obscuring as much of the scene as it does.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I love these, particularly number 1 dividing things up into three distinct areas. Also liking how the table and curtain serves to tie the areas together. That image is in my book pretty much my favorite for the year so far.. that I have seen Anywhere! Perhaps the glass, or the angle of the head, I don't know, but I Really like it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

R.G. wrote:

#1 is simpler and tells a clearer story. In #2 I don't care for the chair back obscuring as much of the scene as it does.

I was a bit fortunate with no.1 as I'd taken a shot through the window prior to a group coming to sit down (not with this in mind, just for the loaded walker). The rest was down to Ps. Here's what I had...half-way through lunch - that's my potato - so it was a snapshot when I saw the pose. Dirty windows do not make for easy cloning!

(Download)

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

pfrancke wrote:

I love these, particularly number 1 dividing things up into three distinct areas. Also liking how the table and curtain serves to tie the areas together. That image is in my book pretty much my favorite for the year so far.. that I have seen Anywhere! Perhaps the glass, or the angle of the head, I don't know, but I Really like it.

Thank you Piet, I'm glad you get it. As you will see in my reply to RG, I've spilled the beans!

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Having seen what you began with... WOW! Simply WOW. You translated a mundane shot into an epic piece of art. At least in my book you did. A timeless and romantic story, the form beautifully defined by light. Your PS skills just keep getting better and better. But the skill even better is your Vision. Putting the pieces together the way you did - I am speechless.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

magnetoman wrote:

I used the same title for a post at the end of las... (show quote)

Dave,
With your #1 composite you have written a brief scene in a story that everyone could write around that scene. The mood and feelings it conveys are absolutely palpable to every sentient soul.
It's magnificent and I'm in awe of your compositing...saw the image first...had no idea!

Another Dave

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

pfrancke wrote:

Having seen what you began with... WOW! Simply WOW. You translated a mundane shot into an epic piece of art. At least in my book you did. A timeless and romantic story, the form beautifully defined by light. Your PS skills just keep getting better and better. But the skill even better is your Vision. Putting the pieces together the way you did - I am speechless.

Well, I don't think I've got a composite passed Frank yet - old Eagle-eye spots 'em every time! Keeps me on my toes though, which is not a bad thing.
Vision is always the difficult bit.
Thanks for your comments Piet.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Uuglypher wrote:

Dave,
With your #1 composite you have written a brief scene in a story that everyone could write around that scene. The mood and feelings it conveys are absolutely palpable to every sentient soul.
It's magnificent and I'm in awe of your compositing...saw the image first...had no idea!

Another Dave

Pleased you like it Dave.
Trouble with compositing is, once people know you're into it they seldom believe any image you offer is 'real' - my wife always asks me what I've done to it before giving her judgement!

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

magnetoman wrote:

Pleased you like it Dave.
Trouble with compositing is, once people know you're into it they seldom believe any image you offer is 'real' - my wife always asks me what I've done to it before giving her judgement!

Now that's an unfortunate mind-set.
The compositor's goal is the laudable image!
I, personally, love a well-structured/composed meaningful image with impact...composited or not.
The photographer's wife want non-nonsense documentation!
Hard t'get around that!
Condolences,

Dave

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

magnetoman wrote:

I used the same title for a post at the end of las... (show quote)

My wife and I were seated by a window in a lovely restaurant on the Isle of Lewis. She ordered lamb chops. Just as she was about to tuck in, a sheep walked by and started to graze within a few feet of her. Sort of took away her appetite.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

selmslie wrote:

My wife and I were seated by a window in a lovely restaurant on the Isle of Lewis. She ordered lamb chops. Just as she was about to tuck in, a sheep walked by and started to graze within a few feet of her. Sort of took away her appetite.

Ah, she had one of those 'can't have your sheep and eat it moments'!
I think the lady in my pic may be gazing at the sheep with one of those lovingly carnivorous moments - it certainly didn't put her off tucking-in.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

These are both just marvelous. I really like their moodiness. Your ability to keep detail in the darkness and in the light of the window is marvelous. I can never do that. I think if it were mine, I would have tried to move the chair in the second one so I could see more of the window scene. But maybe not.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

AzPicLady wrote:

These are both just marvelous. I really like their moodiness. Your ability to keep detail in the darkness and in the light of the window is marvelous. I can never do that. I think if it were mine, I would have tried to move the chair in the second one so I could see more of the window scene. But maybe not.

Yes, the chair's a nuisance and spoils the shot. Moving it at the time of taking would probably have spoiled the moment as I didn't know the couple. Moving it now would entail more effort than the shot is worth, so I have to accept it for what it is, just a snapshot.
Thanks for your thoughts on them APL, I do appreciate them.