The Meeting: A composite, needless to say. I've posted some or all of these characters in different poses previously I think. All the shots were taken in a disused underground...

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

A composite, needless to say. I've posted some or all of these characters in different poses previously I think. All the shots were taken in a disused underground reservoir with the exception of the car (we'd have had a hell of job getting it down those steps) which I found on holiday in Yorkshire. As usual, I've made this far more difficult for myself than I need - due solely to the fact I have a 'thing' about using my own images. The car was offered for sale requiring restoration and had no headlamp glass or bumpers (fenders), plus it was a bit bent in places. Nevertheless I wanted to use it, so lots of work. Its a Buick 8, for those that need to know. I'm wondering if anyone else has this affliction of having to use their own images if at all possible? There are plenty of free images available online and most of the fantasy and fine art photo-compositing courses available seem to use them all the time - with the end result being all that matters. I guess it probably is really? If you have any thoughts on that or critique to offer I will be most grateful.

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Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Great job!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

magnetoman wrote:

A composite, needless to say. I've posted some or ... (show quote)

Outstanding composite. Very creative.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I love it, Dave! The composition and lighting are super-duper in my opinion. I suppose the lady shouldn't be looking so cool and collected, considering what appears to be going on in the stairway, but I do admire her steel.

I get your desire to use your own photos. I think I've only used some "brushes" (as stamps, mostly birds) from other sources, but even those I'm now getting back to creating. Also, the photos I've shot specifically for overlay/textures I've enjoyed more than the collection I have from other sources. A couple of exceptions: photos that other UHH users have provided to us!

Thank you for sharing your wonderfully inspiring creativity!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Alafoto wrote:

Great job!

Thank you.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

PixelStan77 wrote:

Outstanding composite. Very creative.

Thank you Stan.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Very nicely done as always. When I look it's hard to remember those are individual shots reassembled to create a story.

In answer to your question: I now try to use at least one of my own shots. When I was younger I was an avid birder (Binocular) all my time and money went there and to some wildlife Kodachromes.
Now that I want to explore other avenues I have to rely mostly on internet photos. Just not much go left in this old body.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

I love it, Dave! The composition and lighting are ... (show quote)

Strangely, it’s overlays and textures that I relax my rules for Linda! I do use some of my own - this image contains a couple of my textures - but mostly I use commercial stuff, including some Topaz effects. This one was finished in Topaz. I haven’t made much in the way of overlays but I’ve been thinking I should. Do you have a set way of producing them or is each tackled as an individual?
Glad you like the image and thanks for your comments - the lady is above all this gun-toting stuff by the way!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think you've found the Holy Grail of having a recognisable style. I can understand your desire to use your own images wherever possible. The sense of achievement will be that much greater. I think the same thing applies to photography. If we wanted a photo of, say, a tree, it wouldn't be hard to find something suitable online, but when we take our own photos they're our creation and we can own them, even if they're less than perfect some of the time.

L-Fox

magnetoman wrote:

A composite, needless to say. I've posted some or ... (show quote)

Excellent!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

R.G. wrote:

I think you've found the Holy Grail of having a recognisable style. I can understand your desire to use your own images wherever possible. The sense of achievement will be that much greater. I think the same thing applies to photography. If we wanted a photo of, say, a tree, it wouldn't be hard to find something suitable online, but when we take our own photos they're our creation and we can own them, even if they're less than perfect some of the time.

Taken me while to settle there but you could be right RG. I’d like to think so.
Yes, I agree, it’s ownership that matters more than perfection. Elsewise, what has been achieved? Many thanks for commenting.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

l-fox wrote:

Excellent!

Thank you.👍

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

magnetoman wrote:

Strangely, it’s overlays and textures that I relax... (show quote)

I'm still mostly in the happy accident stage. The closest I've come to producing a texture or overlay for a specific look for a specific image is to change the color after I tried it out.

I'll shoot out of focus on purpose, or an in-camera motion, with the idea to try to make a texture out of it. I've had one or two successes combining a few shots too. But these are all mostly to stockpile rather than create in the moment for an in-progress work.

"Lady above the gun-toting..." Ah yes, I see that now

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent processing. Very "arty" composition.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I like this quite a bit Dave. I give you a lot of credit for using your own pictures. When it comes to models it is sometime out of the question for many of us given location and expense. Most of my models are from photography work shops that haven't given us a lot of flexibility in attire or staged sets.

Your picture is so intriguing. I studied it for quit a while before my comments here. I kept looking at the headlight beams and just wasn't sure if I like them or not and IMO finally decided they weren't necessary and might be a distraction. I think you could do away with them. If you wanted you could add some low fog on the pavement to help set the mood. I think you can dim the headlight buckets by lowering the exposure and clarity so they look turned off. I also saw a red thingy on the right bumper upright that probably could go.

Above are just my thoughts. If this was my composition/composite I would be proud of it and posted just as you did. As I'm sure you know you never now when to stop working on them and call it finished.