Peggy Nugent
May 2022 - Into the Woods
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
This is one of those images that I keep trying variations of, to the point that I'm not sure if I'm making it better or worse.
The background was an intentional camera movement shot of a forest. There was snow on a branch near me, which gave the icicle effect at the top. Snow on the ground gave the fog effect. I added a layer with the woman in the cape masked in, reducing opacity near the ground to let the fog show through. I then added a layer with the face from original 3 because I didn't want the spiky eyelashes worn by the woman in the cape. I cloned in additional hair to make it look like one person.
I think the problem is that the woman looks too realistic compared to the trees, but I am having a hard time fixing that. Suggestions?
This round’s discussion is now closed!
13 comments posted
I'm not sure if the woods are covered in snow or covered by icicles, but it doesn't matter. The young lady is definitely, bravely entering another world, and the mist/fog/blown snow helps her to become part of her environment. I'm wondering if darkening the woman's face or extending the hood will help make her less realistic. This is a nice image. Posted: 05/12/2022 16:01:34
Thanks, Alan. Interesting suggestions! I tried some different things along those lines to follow up. This was the one I liked best. Posted: 05/12/2022 20:04:19
Beautiful image. Perhaps darkening most of the image and leaving the woman and her surrounding as is would create more impact Posted: 05/13/2022 17:32:12
Thanks, Aavo! I think it does work better. I can see that the contrast of the trees to the backlight is just too stark for me in the image I originally posted. Posted: 05/15/2022 13:06:19
Peggy, I like the darker image you posted over the lighter one. I might try playing with different color schemes if you want to explore more, maybe a darker blue tone but it seems nicely done as is. Posted: 05/13/2022 18:31:24
Thanks, Brad. I like the idea of trying different colors. This one has sort of an eerie feel. Posted: 05/15/2022 13:09:07
I still wasn't happy with modifying what I had, so I started over. I like this one best of all. I was so enamored of the ICM shot that I wanted to keep all of the details, but it turned out that for me the mysterious, misty trip into the woods is what I like best. At the moment. ;0) Posted: 05/15/2022 13:13:06
Hi Peggy, all the versions are beautiful, with a bit different atmosphere and story, but I, too, like the high-key version best. In the darker ones, it feels like the lady is fleeing something into a scary forest. In the last one, I think that an ethereal fairy returns into the friendly mists she has come from. You have created a wonderful sense of depth with the varying tones in the tree trunks. I think that this is a lovely image. Posted: 05/21/2022 09:46:13
Thanks so much, Kirsti!
Posted: 05/22/2022 13:41:06
Posted: 05/22/2022 13:41:06
Hi Peggy,
I congratulate to you on all the versions you have been working on. My preferences are also in this high key one that I like the most. I found it more ethereal as if it were a winter scene contrasted by the warm tones of the clothes. I found that it contrasts and gives a good balance to the scene. Posted: 05/22/2022 00:59:11
I congratulate to you on all the versions you have been working on. My preferences are also in this high key one that I like the most. I found it more ethereal as if it were a winter scene contrasted by the warm tones of the clothes. I found that it contrasts and gives a good balance to the scene. Posted: 05/22/2022 00:59:11
Thank you, Maria! Posted: 05/22/2022 13:41:38
Just cycling back and enjoying the additional work you've done. I do like the various experiments you've done, especially your final instagram version which adds a little more punch to the cloak bringing the subject into focus even better. Posted: 05/25/2022 11:01:45
Thanks, Brad!
Yes, when I went to post it on Instagram I decided it was too high key and increased the blacks on my mystery woman. It's my new favorite version. I hope, I think I'm done... Posted: 05/26/2022 20:02:35
Yes, when I went to post it on Instagram I decided it was too high key and increased the blacks on my mystery woman. It's my new favorite version. I hope, I think I'm done... Posted: 05/26/2022 20:02:35