The Woodchester Axeman: The setting and the figures were taken at the same venue but are composited. The crucifix was elsewhere. Textures are mine but the smokey lightray is from...

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

The setting and the figures were taken at the same venue but are composited. The crucifix was elsewhere. Textures are mine but the smokey lightray is from Nucly. Critique is appreciated if you have the time.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Pretty fabulous use of light and shadows, Dave! And textures. And repeating shapes (archways).

The young lady perhaps needs to look a wee bit more frightened?

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Great storytelling as usual. The axeman's face is brighter than it should be, given the direction of the light. It wouldn't do any harm to have his face a bit shadowed (i.e. sinister), despite the fact that he's acting the part and probably enjoying it. The damsel in distress also has an unrealistically bright face and would benefit from some shadowing, especially since her expression isn't exactly appropriate.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

I would like to see the results of any changes you make to this composition.
I'm not sure what a woodchested axeman is, but I do know of the Woodchester Mansion.

This is typical of your style. I like the arrangement.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

Pretty fabulous use of light and shadows, Dave! And textures. And repeating shapes (archways).

The young lady perhaps needs to look a wee bit more frightened?

Trouble is, she didn’t stop smiling all day Linda! I have used the facial Liquify sliders on her - enlarged her eyes a little and removed the smile, then pushed her mouth down a bit but any more and it wasn’t going to work. Should probably have taken two stabs at it. She was a happy soul for sure - perhaps we overpaid her! Thanks for commenting, you know it’s appreciated.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

R.G. wrote:

Great storytelling as usual. The axeman's face is brighter than it should be, given the direction of the light. It wouldn't do any harm to have his face a bit shadowed (i.e. sinister), despite the fact that he's acting the part and probably enjoying it. The damsel in distress also has an unrealistically bright face and would benefit from some shadowing, especially since her expression isn't exactly appropriate.

Yes, she was a bit difficult RG (see my response to Linda). I did have the axeman darker but lost that somewhere along the way. I’ll go back and sort both issues. Thanks for pointing them out, it’s surprising how one starts to miss these things whilst making changes.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

SoHillGuy wrote:

I would like to see the results of any changes you make to this composition.
I'm not sure what a woodchested axeman is, but I do know of the Woodchester Mansion.

This is typical of your style. I like the arrangement.

OK, I’ll post it in the thread when sorted SHG. Sorry about the typo! Glad to see you’ve researched Woodchester Mansion, it’s a real photo-opp. I whizzed around it early, before others arrived, in order to get some ‘empty space’ shots, which are ideal for a bit of compositing. Thanks for your interest.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I like it. Linda and R.G. have commented on the things I saw.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

magnetoman wrote:

The setting and the figures were taken at the same venue but are composited. The crucifix was elsewhere. Textures are mine but the smokey lightray is from Nucly. Critique is appreciated if you have the time.

Following some helpful critique from Linda, R.G. and SoHillGuy, I've made some changes that I feel improve the image quite a bit. I've reduced the light around the crucifix, changed the lady's face a little to make her look a bit more concerned about her predicament and darkened the axeman (but made him stand out more from his immediate background). I'd be interested to hear what you folk think of the changes.

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magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Curmudgeon wrote:

I like it. Linda and R.G. have commented on the things I saw.

Thanks Jack - I’ve posted an update above.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautiful now. The axe man would scare me even if I had my shot gun and the girl looks like she wishes she had one.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

That revision is spot on, David!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

UTMike wrote:

That revision is spot on, David!

Thank you Mike, nice of you to say so.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

magnetoman wrote:

Following some helpful critique from Linda, R.G. and SoHillGuy, I've made some changes that I feel improve the image quite a bit. I've reduced the light around the crucifix, changed the lady's face a little to make her look a bit more concerned about her predicament and darkened the axeman (but made him stand out more from his immediate background). I'd be interested to hear what you folk think of the changes.

Magnificent mystery shot for construction of a story 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

joecichjr wrote:

Magnificent mystery shot for construction of a story 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Thank you Joe!