It’s that old chestnut Erich. Even though you know how it should look, the viewer will not see it that way. In the end you have to decide which you want, but an ‘apparently’ out of bonk horizon is not going to win any prizes!

Certainly 3 is my favourite - full screen on my iMac it takes me back there and I can feel the spots of rain on my face! Glad you like them - many thanks for looking.

Well, it could be arranged with a little help from Photoshop, but that’s not the idea here - as you say, we have to live with what was there. The light cloud earlier in the morning soon gave way to Welsh grey! And rain.
No complaints though, we had a reasonable week overall.
Interestingly, there is a row of cottages built in two phases. The first from limestone and then from slate. The slate has withstood the elements rather better than the limestone - which, understandably, pleases the Welsh!
Glad you enjoyed them and thanks for looking.

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I don’t find your efforts boring at all Erich, quite the opposite, your enthusiasm is infectious.
As for these results, I see the attraction of milky sea shots, particularly the colours, but its not my cup of tea. Number 4 is however. That’s how I like to see rocks/sea shots - apart from the wonky horizon - second time this week too. Must the effect of getting up so early! The ghost ship idea sounds good too.

I guessed this would be yours as soon as I read the title Dave! Nice idea but think I’d go for a plainer sky - easy to change now you’ve done the hard work. Well spotted, and (your) signature processing makes this an interesting compo.
Are you still hankering after a Harley, or did you take the plunge already?

Thanks Dave, glad you like them. #3 is my favourite.
I hope October will produce some portraits for b&w in the mood you might approve of. We shall see.

It has a beauty of its own RG, but the hike up there is pretty steep in places. I can see why they built their cottages there - I wouldn’t want to be doing that climb every day! Got to do it two days running come October though, complete with camera kit. Thanks for taking a look.

Not at all Linda (prepared that is!).

Probably pronounced coom-morthin, tan-a-grisia - well it is Welsh!
Cwmorthin lake and slate quarry lies in the hills above the hamlet of Tanygrisiau, just next to Blaenau Ffestiniog (don't worry about the pronunciation). It is scattered with the remains of long-abandoned buildings that were both industrial and residential. A small community whose entire life surrounded the quarry. The area is, naturally, rather grey and on the day we walked up there the weather turned that way as well. These shots, I hope, give some feel for the area. They were taken in May and I had intended returning in June for two-day industrial portrait shoot but it was cancelled due to a severe weather forecast and has been rescheduled for October. Fingers crossed for that Indian summer!
Please feel free to critique, all suggestions are welcomed.

Approaching the chapel in quite pleasant weather

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Returning in the rain.

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The remains of a row of slate cottages.

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The one cottage still in use - shadowed by earlier remains and the mine.

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Yep, they’re right, it does work well Dave! I like the obvious connection you've used between the subject and the background, the focus on his face and the movement in his limbs, it all comes together to perfection.

I like your dedicated approach Erich, and I reckon you achieved all your aims. For me, the first one is a bit too ‘muddy’ - the overall thing is a tad too dark perhaps. Second one is very effective but I would like a little more height to it. The black triangular foreground makes it an almost abstract shot, which I like very much - and the movement is just spot-on. As an aside, and it is a personal thing I know, it doesn’t bother me at all how an image is achieved, in camera, pp, composite, oil/watercolour/sketch - what does matter is the result, and you achieve some great stuff your way. I’m sure your enthusiasm and effort will be rubbing-off on the rest of us!

Wow! Impact or what? This 'in your face' image really works well - love your processing. Wish I could think of doing this sort of thing sometimes!

Nice work Bob. Are you sure this didn't start as a selfie? I jest. It's a great concept and executed to perfection.

A lovely job. I like the effect of the flautist fading into the background, the separation gives depth - but the flowers (and the headband) could do with easing back a bit, as RG suggests, the colour is just a tad too strong. Nevertheless, what a super imaginative composite - love it!