Brad Becker
February 2025 - Reality
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About the Image(s)
This is a composite of a sunset from Yosemite, The Grand Canyon and a river in Sedona. I wanted to try and blend images somewhat realistically. I enjoy considering how there is very little that is "real" anymore. No new techniques here just blending and trying to match colors somewhat "realistically".
14 comments posted
This is another example of your masterful blending talent. I only wish it were "real" so I could go there and spend some time enjoying the sights and sounds of this beautiful scene. Well done. Posted: 02/04/2025 14:33:03
Alan, Thanks for your kind words. Posted: 02/09/2025 02:58:35
Brad, I think that you named the image very appropriately. It feels like memories of beloved sceneries blend seamlessly together and form something that is both new and oddly familiar, for you to step in. What I admire most is the way you combined the three parts of the river to flow towards the bend and further to the falls so naturally, with perfect lighting and reflections.
Posted: 02/08/2025 20:47:45
Posted: 02/08/2025 20:47:45
Thanks Kirsti Posted: 02/09/2025 02:58:51
So well done Brad! Your blending and shadowing technique is strong. The sky you added gives a cool perspective and the layers really give a 3d effect that brings the viewer into the image. The falls initially looked a bit lopsided to me to the left, maybe something to play with. Overall, I super composite! Posted: 02/09/2025 21:03:33
Matt, I see what you mean. Might be tricky adjusting given the various angles but I agree. Posted: 02/09/2025 22:02:25
I wonder if anyone has a comment on this version in which I create a black border and have the waterfall spill outside of the image. Posted: 02/09/2025 22:01:37
Hi, I like very much the extra dimension the frame gives the image, both in physical and metaphorical sense. I think that Peggy´s edit makes it more visible in a beautiful way. Posted: 02/12/2025 06:46:00
Love it ! ( without the black border)
This is great great blending job into one fine landscape image.
My only tuppence worth that I can add, is I found it a bit dark, especially the shadow areas.
I took a copy and applied LEVELS and it needed correcting, the white side of the histogram. VBrought that in and bingo - big diiference. Then applied CURVES and bingo again.
See what you think.Cheers.
Posted: 02/11/2025 15:14:19
This is great great blending job into one fine landscape image.
My only tuppence worth that I can add, is I found it a bit dark, especially the shadow areas.
I took a copy and applied LEVELS and it needed correcting, the white side of the histogram. VBrought that in and bingo - big diiference. Then applied CURVES and bingo again.
See what you think.Cheers.
Posted: 02/11/2025 15:14:19
Bruce, Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. I often end up with darker images as I view them in the dark while editing in bed. People often point out they are dark and I have to pay more attention to the final viewing environment. Posted: 02/15/2025 05:33:01
This is a beautiful place you've created, Brad. I love the color of the sky and how it's reflected in the water. The layers of the landscape are mysterious and intriguing to me. I love the mist in the far mountains and the glimmer of the water.
The trees in the center of the image are very dark on my monitor; I wish I could see just a little detail there so it wouldn't feel like one big dark area.
I played with your black frame version a bit. For me, having the whole bottom of the frame pouring out looks like there was a mistake in applying the frame (and a black frame doesn't show well against a black background). I tried to make the frame more obviously intentional here. I personally like it with a frame. Posted: 02/11/2025 17:54:22
The trees in the center of the image are very dark on my monitor; I wish I could see just a little detail there so it wouldn't feel like one big dark area.
I played with your black frame version a bit. For me, having the whole bottom of the frame pouring out looks like there was a mistake in applying the frame (and a black frame doesn't show well against a black background). I tried to make the frame more obviously intentional here. I personally like it with a frame. Posted: 02/11/2025 17:54:22
Peggy, Thank you. I thought about adding a border to bring out the edges but thought it might be distracting, I was wrong. Your suggestion really sells the surreal effect I was trying to achieve. Posted: 02/15/2025 05:34:14
(Group 18)
Hi Brad, I am just looking through the Current Images and saw yours. It has a lot of interest with the lovely sky and waterfall. https://psadigital.org/groups/images.php
I am trying to make my own images better and saw a familiar problem in this image that inhibits my own. There isn't a way for the viewer to navigate from the sky to the waterfalls. All the black is a barrier. A frame makes it even harder to navigate.
Blake Rudis is a valuable resource for me in evaluating images. He is a former (bad) painter but is a good PS instructor. He uses f.64 and YouTube. I am including a tone evaluation that shows what the tones are in your image. Our eye is drawn to the lightest areas first and in-focus second. White in the evaluation are the light areas, gray the midtones.
I am in DD18 now but have been around a long time. Posted: 02/16/2025 18:44:57
I am trying to make my own images better and saw a familiar problem in this image that inhibits my own. There isn't a way for the viewer to navigate from the sky to the waterfalls. All the black is a barrier. A frame makes it even harder to navigate.
Blake Rudis is a valuable resource for me in evaluating images. He is a former (bad) painter but is a good PS instructor. He uses f.64 and YouTube. I am including a tone evaluation that shows what the tones are in your image. Our eye is drawn to the lightest areas first and in-focus second. White in the evaluation are the light areas, gray the midtones.
I am in DD18 now but have been around a long time. Posted: 02/16/2025 18:44:57
Hi Brad, you have masterfully blended these images to create an appealing landscape that looks very natural.
I agree with Bruce's suggestions about the lack of detail in the dark areas-his editing enhances the image by bringing out more detail in those sections.
I don't think the image needs the black frame, and having it open at the bottom makes it look incomplete. I would suggest creating another version with more space to allow the waterfall's flow a little longer. Posted: 02/22/2025 18:41:13
I agree with Bruce's suggestions about the lack of detail in the dark areas-his editing enhances the image by bringing out more detail in those sections.
I don't think the image needs the black frame, and having it open at the bottom makes it look incomplete. I would suggest creating another version with more space to allow the waterfall's flow a little longer. Posted: 02/22/2025 18:41:13