Brad Becker
August 2026 - Searching
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
The base image for this photo came during a night trip on the Amazon in search of caiman. I liked the lighting and wanted to play around with the image some. It's clearly a work in progress. I added the starry night image to open up the top of the image and then added a partial head with a star centered on the head to integrate the subject and background. I'm open to suggestions for other directions to take this incomplete image.
12 comments posted
Brad, Interesting shot. How about adding a caiman to where the flashlight is pointing, maybe just a head sticking out . That would really catch the eye. I love the night effect and how exciting to go on such an adventure. Posted: 08/06/2026 18:48:41
Joan, I did exactly that in my original version but found it distracting. I agree this would benefit from a discovered object but haven't figured that out yet. Posted: 08/16/2026 19:12:15
Brad you always come up with something mysterious. I agree with Joan that it might be an idea to add something which indicates what the guy is looking for e g the caiman or maybe a sleeping mermaid. The rocks in the water ahead also look a bit hazardous if the guy continues in that direction. Maybe delete one or two to give him some space? Posted: 08/07/2026 15:46:57
Hazel, I like the idea of a mermaid. I agree removing some rocks may be helpful, thanks. Posted: 08/16/2026 19:13:27
You have good great work removing the canopy of the boat to isolate the figure. However making the image more natural have you lost the impact which the bright orange light in the original? To be very picky there are a few stay stars! Posted: 08/10/2026 16:03:56
Ian, Yes, some of my images fail to improve on the original. I have used this site to share both successful and more incomplete images. The stray stars were present in the original image. I chose to make the man more transparent, I think removing the more orange star on his left arm would reduce distraction. Posted: 08/16/2026 19:15:42
This is all about the story. Wonderful sci-fi feel and the imagination zooms off in many directions. I wonder if putting someting in the beam for him to discover would actually spoil the mystery. Posted: 08/17/2026 10:28:23
Robin, Thanks for saying that. I ended up leaving out the cayman and stopped searching for another object as I settled on that idea as a reasonable compromise. Posted: 08/17/2026 15:54:36
Brad, I think this image is one which is more believable than your previous concepts. I agree with you that there's no need for the man to point his torch at "something" - the fact that he has his night torch out suggests that there's something out there that has caught his attention, he's intrigued and so he is on a mission of discovery. An image that leaves the imagination to the viewer, that's generally a sign of a good composition. Well done, can't offer anything of value that would add to this image. Posted: 08/18/2026 10:48:55
Thanks Nadia. I do often push the boundaries of reality quite a bit. Posted: 08/18/2026 19:09:48
It tells the story. I agree that "he is looking for something". Very creative Posted: 08/18/2026 17:01:25
Debbie, Thanks, I'm a big fan of telling a story. Posted: 08/18/2026 19:10:15