Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Used download for this - High Pass Filter +20% radius and a little added Saturation

(Download)

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

One thing of note: In Lightroom, I used the radial filter to create several horizontal ovals that perform multiple tasks: the first is to break up the expanse of green by giving it variety and interest; second, to collaborate and confirm light direction as indicated by the shadows on the wall braces, and third, at the horizon/field/tree line for aerial perspective; i.e., objects get lighter in value, less saturated and more bluish as distance from the viewer increases. In this instance, that distance enhances subject context... in my opinion......

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Would love to see the result - especially the "variety in the expanse of green" ? Nice Dog

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If we compare yours to Rongnongno's, his sky feels very low and close, more menacing and somber than yours. This is valuable to remember when setting a mood. Thanks!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

All are visible in the example posted yesterday, Delderby- more so in the download- admittedly they're subtle but, they're supposed to be subtle... Best dog ever! sure do miss him...

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

My Avatar is also a memory.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Challenge:
- Make the farm stand out.
Requirement:
- The car area must be left alone

Main comment:
- The foreground grass is a distraction. Leaving too much of it just does not work, the expanse of grass is overwhelming.

Interpretative issues (you can disagree):
- The sky cannot be subtle. War is not subtle. The threatening clouds are a reminder of the war and imply violence, coming or going. Note that when importing from ACR I already was planning on the sky.
- The walls are lit by a warm sun. This can be used as 'hope', 'survival' but not so much as making it really warm. (I actually cooled this part of the image using the blue channel after the global RGB adjustment).

Note:
- I selected to preserve the car area original (background and car). I used the foreground ridge, the wall and the tree line as the area limitations.

The image offered show a 'before after' using mask to illustrate the comments.


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(Download)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Other comments on the edit. This gives you a glimpse of what I was thinking.

The cool ivory look of the wall is both luck (stones are made of clay) and deliberate. It reminds me of the color of bones. Once cleaned they are usually light grey to ivory depending on how long they have been buried (and where) or cleaned. The plowed field behind the farm still yields artifacts* including bones and pieces of uniforms to this day - when it is not ordinance, exploded or not.

The wall position is specific. It starts almost on the exact middle of the image. The reason is simple: It is another reminder that this area is still not at peace. It is an illustration of being between places.

The threatening sky has two purposes. One is a reminder of the war's violence. The other is a warning: It can happen again.

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* Farmers I spoke to have all found bullets some used some not, grenades, mortar rounds, some misfired. Shells are also found but are rare as they are deeper underground. They are also more dangerous as this area had been bombarded with gas. An in-exploded shell can still be lethal despite the time especially if loaded with chemical. The men working the field have developed a 'sixth sense' and basically know what their plow hit.

'Soft unexpected resistance that let go usually is a canister. When something like that happens we stop working, call the 'gendarmes'. We can lose a week or two of work before someone comes in and check it out. They are in no hurry' This is what a farmer told me. He was quite upset at the delay.

As to the ordinance? They pile it up on the side of their field and when there is enough they call the 'gendarmes' to get rid of it. I have a picture of a dozen of mortar and artillery rounds placed next to a barn...

Any human remnant is picked up and given to the said 'gendarmes'. A removable marker is placed where it was found. If no one comes to search the area for more, the marker is removed. If it is just a bone this is all that happens. If pieces of uniform are found with it, it depends on the country. The US was notorious for sending teams from Germany to find more artifacts in order to identify the person. More than one farmer has witnessed impromptu ceremonial removal of remains in their field. It is now a rarity.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you for all the backstory and context that enriches our understanding.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Hidden meaning or not, the car did nothing to enhance the image, IMHO, so I took the liberty of removing it. The absence of the car also changes the scale of the wall and makes it look more imposing. I also cropped the image a bit to remove the distracting paths. I found the foreground grass useful to create a lonely isolated mood, so I kept most of it. This was, after all, a battlefield so I wanted to evoke the desolate feeling of one. I also opted to have some sunlight breaking through the dark clouds, perhaps signifying a ray of hope for a brighter future on that hallowed ground. I would have preferred to work on the original raw, but I got a Forbidden error message which indicated I did not have permission to access it. I had to make due with the somewhat smallish jpeg which gave me far from ideal results.

(Download)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I hope you never work with a client that has specific demands.

Now if you could not download the image this is an issue I need to deal with. Solved it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

You asked how would you change this poor capture into something of some interest.. In no scenario would leaving that modern car in the scene allow me to do that. It destroys the mood. and the overall texture of the scene. Since you are not my customer and you're not paying me I felt free to remove it. If you pay me, I'll put it back.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

And I gave specific instructions. The car that you hate so much not only show someone is visiting for a specific reason but also reinforce 'Active' memorial.

To take refuge behind 'free interpretation' is not a valid answer, sorry. I placed a specific limitation to the edits.

Just type 'I do not give a **** about your instructions and i will accept that by simply ignoring you once and for all.

I did not comment on the other edits even if I do not 'see' at all why you think this way. That part is 'free' so not open to criticism from me or anyone else.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I get that you wanted the car to remain but it was completely incompatible with creating something of interest and stuck out like a sore thumb. This was an exercise to fix an image and not a paid job. If it had been I might have addressed it differently or refused to take it on. Any scenario with that car remaining in place would result in a mediocre image, in my opinion. This was done voluntarily for fun and was not an assignment. I'm sorry you don't care for my interpretation.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

As I said. 'Per instruction'. Your 'justification' is not one. regardless of your argumentation. Learn to follow limitations and instructions BEFORE posting. It would help you quite a bit too.

Note that you are the only one doing this.