MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

They say there's a first time for everything, well here goes my first attempt at composite imaging. i combined a sunset image with a train track as practice. i know it still a bit rough but would love some feedback on what to do make it better. i used dodge & burn method here to reveal the rail track. i've attached both images used and the final outcome. I'd love to make the image sharper as well so i can upload to my social platforms but when i started to mess with it i ran into problems. i welcome all suggestions including edits.
thank you

i love this platform!!

COMPOSITE

(Download)

RAIL TRACK

(Download)

SUNSET

(Download)

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

All aboard for Atlantis City!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Interesting. The horizon line on the sunset is distracting because it is slanted. The trees and the poles in the background should be removed. It would be more interesting if it was just the single rail track merging into the water. A little busy. Good effort.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I agree, horizon needs to be level (in this case) I would also try having the tracks end right into the sun on the horizon line.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

As others say level horizon and tracks have to be going right into the sun.
This is a big miss that a couple of small adjustments in composition would make a world of difference.

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

i agree with the track merging with the water. I also tried using the clone tool to remove them trees but it wasn't working. what tool do you think I can use with better results?

thanks alot

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Being the trees are in the photo with the tracks and your using the sky from the background shot, any tool that either isolates them for deletion or just erase them. Or you could put them on their own later if you plan on doing something else and want a nondestructive edit. Then just shut layer off when selecting all to drag to background. Personally I would probably use the pen tool to trace around the canopy, down the support pillars and then along the top of the wall on the right side for a nice clean selection. Then along the top of the fence on the left side. Keep in mind how just how in focus things are when making a selection, if it's not in sharp focus, you don't need a sharp selection. Trees are one of the hardest to mask which makes them easiest to remove. You could just nail it with a selection tool. Select the sky and it may just grab the trees by toying with the tolerances of the selection tool. Use the polygonal tool to finish the selection. Remember it's not what you see on the original, it's what will show in the composite. Also I can see some tell tale of wires (upper right of canopy). Don't go go further than needed. Keep trying the composite till your happy, if you see something else needing removal, go back the to the original and remove it, then re-paste into background.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You need to ask that question in a post-processing forum. This is strictly a critique forum and to answer you specifically is not in the cards. Sorry.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I think shes was looking for critique...

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I think otherwise.


i agree with the track merging with the water. I also tried using the clone tool to remove them trees but it wasn't working. what tool do you think I can use with better results?

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

i know it still a bit rough but would "love some feedback on what to do make it better" How you ask will determine the quality of ones answer.

How to ask: What were you hoping to gain?
"We are brought up in school to trust the teacher to tell us how to improve. And so we go through life trusting others to give us good direction and to point out areas where we can improve. And in some cases this is really helpful.
But at other times we can experience poor feedback, vague suggestions which confuse, and even discouragement when our efforts are torn down or completely misunderstood. Knowing how to ask for critique is important. How you ask will determine the quality of your answers.
So in this article I will share with you some tips on how to ask for good quality feedback and critique so that you can improve your work.
Art is subjective. What this means is that each person will evaluate your art from their own perspective. Generally when asking for critique you are not so much asking “Do you like my subject?” as much as you are asking “Have I successfully rendered this subject?”.
Unfortunately we can often preface a request for critique with the vague question of “What do you think of it?” or “Will you critique my work?”
As a teacher and competition judge I am often asked these questions. I reply with my own question, “What are you looking for from me?” “What do you think it might need or be lacking?” “In which areas do you feel it could be stronger?” “What were you looking to communicate with this image?”
I need to drill down in order to give a good critique that will give the artist something of value. I may go on for 10 minutes on composition, whereas the artist merely wanted to know if they did a good job on the fur.
So to save everyone time and effort, here is a checklist that will help you get the very most out of every critique.
Question #1: Who are you asking?
It is important to know who you are asking for critique.
I once went to an artist’s salon (open critique) at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). The professor doing the critique was a contemporary arts advocate. Well, he tore down my work telling me I lack imagination because my animals look too real and are in realistic poses. After going on about me wasting my artistic skill with realism he finally gave me one good tip, “Don’t keep the image inside the wood. Dare to carry it beyond the edges.”
Understanding who was critiquing my work helped me to filter the information and only take from it what was valuable for me. (I’m not a fan of contemporary art so I know we would not see eye to eye anyway). I have since then challenged myself to take my images off the board to communicate the vastness and mystery of the natural world.
I’ve had the chance to also ask for critique from an ornithologist, I wanted to know if my birds were true to form. From an eagle rehabilitator, from a horse breeder, from an AKC judge, from veterinarians, and many other experts. From these people I asked for different information than from another artist. I didn’t expect any technique pointers from them.
From artists I look for information on composition, technique, process, etc. And from art collectors and buyers I am looking to understand what they perceive and what I have communicated to them with my artwork. Have I been successful in telling my story or could it be strengthened in some way.
Knowing who you are asking for feedback from is critical. You cannot expect orange juice from a cow or milk from an orange.

Question #2: Where do you want to focus?
Let’s face it, if you are asking for feedback you already have an idea what you are looking for. It may be technique, it may be realism, it may even be encouragement that your artwork is wonderful.
After you have identified who you are asking, lead with questions that will give you good solid answers in the areas you are interested in. For example, if you are concerned that your burning is not clear, ask “How might I get this area to ‘pop’ more?” or “What is wrong with these bushes, I feel they are not quite right.” or “I had trouble with the nose, any suggestions?”
Keep asking specific questions until you have covered everything. Only then do I recommend you ask if there is anything else. This will give you a really good feel for the quality of information you are getting.

Question #3: Suggestions for improvement.
In order to be qualified to give an opinion you must be capable of suggesting how to improve. That professor at the AIC may not have been my ideal for a realism critique but he was able to make a fantastic suggestion to strengthen my artwork. By offering a suggestion for improvement he went beyond simply giving me an opinion and actually helping me improve.
A true critique is not a mere opinion. A good solid critique comes with suggestions and explanations. Be willing to dig deep and ask for clarification. The ornithologist who critiqued my work suggested some wonderful books on anatomy and physiology that I now have in my library and refer to all the time.
Opinions are cheap and usually worthless – which is why they are thrown at you without thought. A good critique however has immense value. It is the culmination of someone’s wisdom and experience being directed toward your work. Don’t waste it! Be ready to get the most out of these interactions by being prepared. The person offering the critique will thank you because they will know that you truly value what they are sharing".

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

These questions belong in the Post processing forum. End of story. Read the intro to this forum. We have a real problem of ops trying to make something here that isn't. Strictly critiques. Not post processing or fundamentals. Here you present your best effort completed and listen to the critiques. There is no argument or do overs.

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

ok lets all take a deep breath and settle down. I'm new to this platform and still getting acquainted. I will take the post-processing questions to the right forum, thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
that being said, this post was originally meant to be a critique post(feedback on image), the post-processing feedback was in response to a feedback from another kind user.

let's all just get along...thank you for your feedback

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

Hey Doug, this was quite an insightful read and i have gained a few things in knowledge. thank you for taking the time to give your feedback, it is much appreciated. i consider myself someone who has the ability to filter criticism to get what's valuable out of it and your examples(experiences) are spot on. That being said, i understand the importance of crafting the appropriate questions to get the right answers. we learn everyday and if i hadn't asked the question or gotten a redirection feedback then i wouldnt have learnt this valuable lesson you shared. so, it all worked out great.
Let's just all get along... lol

cheers
Meg

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I have absolutely no problem with anyone here. Wasn't arguing, trying to debate or disagree. Just voicing an opinion. Take it or leave it. It's becoming where one can't talk anymore without someone being offended or think they're being attacked. Thank social networking for that. Everyone is losing communication skills that I was brought up and why I still meet with several friends every morning for coffee to just throw the bull. I.E. talk like we used to in a civil manner. No iPones allowed and I love it.