magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Numerous artists interpreted this Greek myth and this is my go at it, inspired by J W Waterhouse's painting. The Danaides were fifty sisters, all bar one being condemned to spend their lives trying to fill a basin with water. Unfortunately the basin had holes in it. Their crime had been the killing of their husbands on their wedding night! Plenty of info online if you want the full story.

The composite runs to around 250 layers and includes about 25-30 images. It took me approximately 3 weeks of spare time (of which I have a lot!).
The setting is in Portmerion, Wales, an Italianate village designed and built by Clough Williams-Ellis. The models were all taken at my usual group shoots (bar one that was at our local pirate festival). Some figures are made from several part-images. The 'basin' is an antique cast iron mortar (as used for grinding ingredients to powder).
I'm tempted to crop to the main subject matter but cannot decide as yet. As always, your critique is appreciated if you have the time and inclination, and I'd be interested to hear whether you prefer the original or the crop.

Full Image

(Download)

The Crop

(Download)

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautifully done, like a photograph of an old master's painting.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Curmudgeon, that’s what I aimed at without using a ‘painterly’ programme.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Your ambitious projects are resulting in some truly jaw-dropping quality and highly enjoyable results! I prefer the crop except for where it cuts off the curve of the structure in the center.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I think if I went for a crop the format would need to change - and I’d need to lose a bit more of the left hand side, together with a figure or two. There isn’t a crop that retains the top curve easily, so maybe lose it altogether? It could just concentrate on the central figures. I’ll have to think some more Linda. Thanks for the nice comments.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You want to keep same aspect ratio? I wouldn't want to lose any more figures, and I guess in order to show more curve, you'd have to have bits of sky above the left and right side - unless "free transform" came into play

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

You certainly nailed the colors! It does have an old world painting look to it. My only subjective observation is the lighting on the foot of the person standing in the foreground. It seems a tad bit too bright for the rest of the light in the scene.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

What can say but wow. Two hundred and fifty layers. I have a tough time doing 25 or 30 layers. I can’t even imagine keeping them in a system where I could keep track of each layer.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

It might take a bit more the Free Transform to achieve that Linda but wouldn’t want the curve or sky, just the columns. A change from 4:3 to 3:2 gives a crop that achieves that, and by moving a couple of figures a little I can get it the way I’m thinking, just lose the overhead ladies - but they can appear in another composite sometime! If I complete it I’ll post it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, I thought someone might think that! I’ll knock it back a bit. Thanks for commenting.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

It’s not too difficult if you keep the layers named and preferably colour-coded, i.e. all the figure layers are red, any water layers blue, etc. I also tend to clip adjustments to the subject and then group the bundle, so I don’t have to run up and down all those layers to find something. The move tool is also handy as it will allow you to click on the subject you want and it jumps to that layer - provided you don’t have an overall filter laying on top of everything! The worst thing is there’s so many Smart Objects the machine becomes very slow. The file size is around 11Gb and doc size 32x24”x300dpi. I reduced the size for the jpeg and should do so for the psb too really, it will print OK.
Thanks for commenting Frank.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

When considering the blue-gowned lady foot you might consider adding a light shadow to anchor it to the ground.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful result for your effort, David!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I’ll check it out, thanks SHG.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Mike.