Bob Wills
December 2025 - Ghost Ranch Balloon Festival
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
I used the tree image from the Ghost Ranch during the Albuquerque PSA Conference and added an image from the Balloon Festival. Pretty straightforward composite and transformation of the balloon sizes, then added a gradient for atmosphere and a Poster Filter to finish it. All comments appreciated.
5 comments posted
Nice composite Bob. I love the way the right tree branch curves around the balloons. The colors in both of your originals are really vibrant and dramatic, so I'm torn about whether the light gradient at the top adds atmosphere or just washes out the nice color and details of both images. I think the topmost balloon is too close to the top edge, so perhaps you could use AI to generate more sky at the top of Original 1 and then add the light gradient up higher to create the atmosphere you're aiming for. Just a thought. Posted: 12/11/2025 21:54:21
Thanks, Jan. Helpful comments. I should have masked out the tree and Balloons. The atmosphere was supposed to push the mountains and sky to add some depth. The crop is too tight. Never sure about PSA rules on AI, but I could have CA Moved the top balloon. I never seem to be able to completely finish an image. I need to start earlier and not be rushed. Posted: 12/15/2025 15:31:27
The rules on using AI are different for DD than for competition, so you're free to use it in your creative endeavors here, especially for generative fill options like extending the canvas area or background of the image. It's also fun to experiment with it just to see what it can (and cannot) accomplish. It's getting better with each software update. Posted: 12/17/2025 21:01:06
Very nice Bob! What was the purpose in using the gradient? It looks to me like it added a haze - like what you might see on a bright hazy day before you use a polarizing filter. Conversely, your original is analagous to what it would like using the polarizer. Posted: 12/15/2025 01:26:23
Thanks Peter. The gradient was used to add depth, but I failed to add a proper mask, which would have preserved the elements I wanted to bring forward. I am sure I had a polarizer. I'm also trying to make composites that couldn't just be taken with a camera-Altered Reality. I haven't been able to develop a creative style yet. I'll keep trying. Posted: 12/15/2025 15:37:10