Nadia Trevan
November 2023 - Abandoned
Original
About the Image(s)
I took a number of photos of large trees around my area some time and I wanted to
see how I can use them and so a farm landscape scene evolved. The background road is a
composite, the old wrecked car is an old photo and the two kookaburras (Kingfisher) are from my
garden.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
(Group 54)
I visit your work often, and I commented on your April image partly because that image seems to use the same technique. You have a similar look in your August entry as well. I am so taken with that tone mapped quality of this image, that I had to write and ask how you achieved that look. It really draws the viewer into your scene. Please share your technique. Posted: 11/02/2023 16:55:34
Hi Alan, I don't believe that I have a technique as such. However, I will work on an image until I know it looks like what I have in mind. I can only go through my work process on this particular image. The background sky was created using three different cloud images to achieve that specific tone; one blue tone, one blue and orange and the third deep sunset (image attached). As I add each element, I then "colour" or blend these elements with the sunset cloud, clipped to the element using soft light or overlay blend mode or even multiply which ever one works the best, reduce the opacity and mask over. If that doesn't work well on some of the elements, then I use a blank layer with a blend mode of soft light, go the colour picker and select a tone from the cloud and paint over that area. Reduce opacity both with the brush as well as on the layer until I'm satisfied. I did the grass like that to achieve that tone. I coloured the tree with the sunset cloud and the leaves with the blue tone cloud. The car was more or less the same tone and used curves in the RGB tool section to blend it in more. Finally, I used the LUT Kodak 5205 Fuji 3510 at 35% opacity, then Nik Software Tonal Contrast and finally put another blue tone cloud image to put an uneven light through it at a diagonal from top right to bottom left so that the lighter part goes through the top right part of the tree, through the bird and finished on the car. Hope this helps. Cheers Nadia T Posted: 11/07/2023 03:56:34
Here is the last cloud image that I used to give you an idea of how it creates uneven light as in real life. I use soft light blend mode for this exercise. Posted: 11/07/2023 04:00:30
(Group 54)
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all of your steps. I can't wait to try them. Posted: 11/07/2023 06:53:09
Nadia, This is a gorgeous image. I love the juxtaposition of the abandoned car and large tree. One minor suggestion. The Kingfishers are placed next to a clump of leaves. These leaves create some distraction for my eye in viewing the birds. I wonder if you were to clone out the leaves if that would make the birds a little more impactful in the image. And I'll second Alan's comments about wanting to hear more about your technique Posted: 11/06/2023 09:53:27
Hi Brad, thanks for your comments, much appreciated. I would rather move the birds then clone out that part of the tree because it has an unusual look. I can see what you mean when you point it out. Interesting, when I photographed these birds, they were on a tree branch that was at an angle like the one in the image, so they were easy to put in. They come into my garden because they sometimes take the babies of the smaller birds and I have to chase them out! Posted: 11/07/2023 04:07:49
Nadia, Thank you for sharing with us the technique you used to create this image which has all the hallmarks of a technically competent piece of work. I like the overall colour saturation and your control of the lighting. I too like the juxtaposition of the abandoned truck and the tree. I particularly like the compositional strength of the roadway which leads us into the landscape; under the branch, to the signpost and then drifts us off into an ethereal distance which I find absolutely charming. I can now start to recognize your visual signatures in particular the flock of birds. However, I would question whether we actually need the two kookaburras as they are, at least for me, a little distracting, too large in the frame and draw the eye away from the main visual story. You might like to tone down the two bright strips in the fields on the left/right lower edges of the frame which once seen cannot be ignored. Posted: 11/15/2023 10:55:35
Hi Brian, thanks for your feedback and I'll take on board your comments. I'll keep the Kookaburras and reduce them a little as you suggested.
Posted: 11/17/2023 03:59:20
Posted: 11/17/2023 03:59:20
Hi Nadia,
Excellent work that should win awards in Exhibitions. I agree the two birds seem a bit larger than they should. Maybe consider moving the flying birds to the right lower and further in the distance or make them smaller on the left, but those are nits. Enjoyable image! Posted: 11/19/2023 11:21:54
Excellent work that should win awards in Exhibitions. I agree the two birds seem a bit larger than they should. Maybe consider moving the flying birds to the right lower and further in the distance or make them smaller on the left, but those are nits. Enjoyable image! Posted: 11/19/2023 11:21:54
Hi Tom, it seems that there's a common view about the two birds and do agree that they look a bit larger. I'll take the comments on board and reduce them in size. I like your idea about moving the flock of birds to the right and lower, especially where the dirt road fades into the horizon. I had that thought initially but didn't go ahead with it. Thanks for your feedback, it's appreciated. Posted: 11/20/2023 04:38:05
This is a wonderful image. I especially love the abandoned car against the large tree. It is blended there very well! The sign post and the angles of the branches and the birds on the left and the negative space on the right, wow.
The birds themselves seem a little out of place, color and brightness wise, but also where they are places against the darker sky and with the branches there.
Overall you created an image with a lot of mood and story!
Posted: 11/25/2023 13:00:03
The birds themselves seem a little out of place, color and brightness wise, but also where they are places against the darker sky and with the branches there.
Overall you created an image with a lot of mood and story!
Posted: 11/25/2023 13:00:03