Peggy Nugent
February 2025 - ICM Street Scene
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
I've been looking for something to add to this ICM shot I took last year. I came across the man in my files and added him in Darken mode at lowered opacity, then duplicated the layer and added motion blur to that layer, putting it in normal mode at lowered opacity. I duplicated that layer, added gaussian blur, changed the color to black, lowered the opacity and transformed it to form his shadow.
He was looking at a blank wall, so I added the building with the bike, applying motion blur and put that layer in Hard Light mode at 58%. I added shadows to the bike and the building, and a vignette.
14 comments posted
What a clever use of Motion Blur. I can't wait to try it on a photo that has stumped me for years. Renoir would be proud of this composite. The "brush strike," subject, and color resemble his painting I attached. In addition to all of the other plusses, your scene is well balanced and has a road (and bicycle) that invites the viewer to step in. Your efforts truly paid off. Posted: 02/04/2025 14:29:58
Thanks very much, Alan! Posted: 02/11/2025 16:09:58
(Group 18)
Hi Alan, I am so happy that you included Renoir's painting in your comments. I commented on Brad's image this month too. I am also going to comment on Peggy's image too. I am including a tone evaluation of the image. It shows that all masters do in fact paint with light to display their subject. Also is how he uses a sharp focus to bring her face forward, and blurs the background. Posted: 02/19/2025 16:03:58
Once again, you brought a color palette that is so engaging with the ICM shot. Blurring and blending the man and bike came out great which really makes it all work together. I also like that the man is looking at the bike. I can't think of much I would do different, maybe a bit of dodge and burn to add some contrast areas which can get lost in the motion. Posted: 02/08/2025 01:22:35
Thanks, Matt!
Yes, it's difficult to decide which parts to leave soft and which to define a bit more, especially when combining elements that are originally sharp. I've gone back and forth on that quite a bit for this image. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:16:51
Yes, it's difficult to decide which parts to leave soft and which to define a bit more, especially when combining elements that are originally sharp. I've gone back and forth on that quite a bit for this image. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:16:51
Hi Peggy, I couldn't agree more with Alan: last year we had an Impressionist exhibition in Helsinki with the title "Color and Light", and your image would have fit right in. I love the slightly distorted perspective that adds to the dream-like atmosphere. -If something, I wonder if there could be some more subtle texture in the pale area of the road in the foreground? Posted: 02/08/2025 16:51:21
Thank you very much, Kirsti!
That's a great suggestion about adding texture to the foreground path, I'll definitely do that. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:19:23
That's a great suggestion about adding texture to the foreground path, I'll definitely do that. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:19:23
Peggy, What a successful image you've created here. It has a beautiful balance and lovely colors. If you were looking for alternatively handlings I might play with the Gaussian blur and paint back his face some and consider adding an object exactly in his gaze path like a woman sitting on a bench at the bottom right. This might require generative expand to add space on the bottom right and cropping the left to balance the image, or just leave it how it is! Posted: 02/09/2025 20:31:03
Thanks, Brad!
That's an interesting suggestion, I'll keep it in mind. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:29:47
That's an interesting suggestion, I'll keep it in mind. Posted: 02/11/2025 16:29:47
ICM is very popular in the UK the now, as is composites made to look like ICM. The technique gives a painterly type of image which is most appealing.Yours falls into this category.
With ICM there is a degree of latitude with the lack of focus, contrast, and saturation, which is all contained in your montage.
There a couple of things that my eye keeps going back to, 1. The verticals are in the background buildings are not upright, 2.the lack of texture in the path the subject is standing on, 3. the flower border on the right has an undefined end point, and the light is coming from the front/right on the subject so there shouldnt be any shadows at the foot of the wall on the LHS of the subject.cheers Posted: 02/11/2025 13:32:13
With ICM there is a degree of latitude with the lack of focus, contrast, and saturation, which is all contained in your montage.
There a couple of things that my eye keeps going back to, 1. The verticals are in the background buildings are not upright, 2.the lack of texture in the path the subject is standing on, 3. the flower border on the right has an undefined end point, and the light is coming from the front/right on the subject so there shouldnt be any shadows at the foot of the wall on the LHS of the subject.cheers Posted: 02/11/2025 13:32:13
Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed comments, Bruce! I really appreciate how carefully you've looked at my image and your helpful feedback. Thanks! Posted: 02/11/2025 16:33:09
(Group 18)
Hi Peggy, I love the composite you have created. Tells a story with the addition of the bike. Is he deciding to steal it? Does he wonder how anyone could ride it with the seat so high and the handlebars so low?
I include a tone evaluation for your use if you wish to D&B some of the light areas that overwhelm the subject. The original-2, which I would suggest darkening prior to adding to the composite.
We enjoyed touring with you during some of the old PSA conferences. Posted: 02/19/2025 16:19:15
I include a tone evaluation for your use if you wish to D&B some of the light areas that overwhelm the subject. The original-2, which I would suggest darkening prior to adding to the composite.
We enjoyed touring with you during some of the old PSA conferences. Posted: 02/19/2025 16:19:15
Hi Peggy, once again, you have mastered the tonal colours in this composition. The leading lines guide us directly to the man, whose interesting pose as he looks at the bike helps create the story.
The use of ICM works beautifully in this composition, giving it a dreamy look and a painterly finish. I agree with the suggestions made by other members, such as the lack of texture in the road. It is a lovely scene! Posted: 02/21/2025 17:13:05
The use of ICM works beautifully in this composition, giving it a dreamy look and a painterly finish. I agree with the suggestions made by other members, such as the lack of texture in the road. It is a lovely scene! Posted: 02/21/2025 17:13:05
Thanks very much, Maria! Posted: 02/21/2025 18:47:32