Maria Mazo, PPSA
February 2025 - Don't Be Afraid, We Are Close
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About the Image(s)
For this month’s image, I created a composition using several photos I took last month, along with a background image from my visit to NC last year. The background was captured in one of the beautiful parks where we walked one afternoon.
I selected the figures of the children and an egret, placing them in the background. After that, I adjusted the lighting on the children and added layers to enhance specific illuminated areas. Finally, I processed the image in Nik Collection, applying a vignette and a stylizer filter to unify the elements.
13 comments posted
Hi Maria, What a fun image! The large white bird makes for a wonderful subject in the engaging forest background. I also like the placement of the child on the chair. It gives food for thought, but works as the legs disappear into the water. I'm was initially les certain about the left-most child, but I see he has sort of a board to float on the water, which makes sense. I especially like the lighting you added on the children and what looks like a bit of blur where they meet the water. It helps pull it all together. Nice finishing work as well! Posted: 02/09/2025 21:00:12
Hi Matt, thank you for your kind comment. The lighting on the children was not easy to get right, and I'm still not entirely sure if I achieved the best result. Posted: 02/22/2025 19:05:35
I recognized the forest and checked back to find your April entry used the same Nort Carolina forest. That's heartwarming to me as I was born and raised among this kind of forest in South Carolina. The forest, here, makes a warm, welcoming background, and your idea of including children and an egret adds to the welcoming atmosphere of the image. Composites are difficult to hide cut-and-paste evidence if the lighting is not consistent among all components. The children and the egret unfortunately look cut-and-pasted which reduces the warmth of your intent. You're certainly on the right track. Posted: 02/10/2025 20:16:15
Hi Alan, thank you for your comment-it aligns with my own feelings about the image. I know I haven't achieved the best result when putting everything together.
The past few months have been a bit crazy-moving from Australia to Spain, it was a big change, and my belongings only arrived at the beginning of this month. Now that everything is here, I still need some time to settle in, but I hope to get back to my routines soon and have more time to focus on the details. Posted: 02/22/2025 19:13:21
The past few months have been a bit crazy-moving from Australia to Spain, it was a big change, and my belongings only arrived at the beginning of this month. Now that everything is here, I still need some time to settle in, but I hope to get back to my routines soon and have more time to focus on the details. Posted: 02/22/2025 19:13:21
Moving to a city nearby is difficult, but moving halfway around the world has facets that are unimaginable. July is now a cold month for you. I admired your strength. Best of luck. Posted: 02/22/2025 19:40:14
Hi Maria! The image makes me think about fairytales where toys or figurines come alive and get into all kinds of adventures. The brilliantly white egret has all the characteristis of a magical bird. The background landscape with the silvery trees, reflections and lovely colors is a fine image itself. - I think that the head and beak of the egret may get a little lost in the background - would slight darkening of the trees help to bring them out ? Is it a toppled chair the boy is balancing on? I think that some dodging might make its show better? Posted: 02/10/2025 20:38:06
Hi Kirsti, thank you for your comment and suggestions. I completely agree with you about the egret-I knew I needed to go back and fix the issue, but I was running out of time.
Posted: 02/22/2025 19:16:49
Posted: 02/22/2025 19:16:49
Hi Maria,
Great story with well put together composition.
I think it runs into difficulty with its colours, especially the child subjects, and the background is too commanding.
I tried a few things especially converting to BW, to avoid the colours mix.
1. Blurred the background to null its effects on th subjects.This would happen in real world situ with a camera with the lens wide open on the subjects only.
2. Converted to BW and uptd the contrast to give it uumf.
3. Removed the shadows on the kids to make them brighter and cloned out the edges to blend into the image.
4. Created a vignette to darken all the unecessary bright areas and make the subjects stand out.
See what you think. Cheers, Bruce. Posted: 02/11/2025 14:49:02
Great story with well put together composition.
I think it runs into difficulty with its colours, especially the child subjects, and the background is too commanding.
I tried a few things especially converting to BW, to avoid the colours mix.
1. Blurred the background to null its effects on th subjects.This would happen in real world situ with a camera with the lens wide open on the subjects only.
2. Converted to BW and uptd the contrast to give it uumf.
3. Removed the shadows on the kids to make them brighter and cloned out the edges to blend into the image.
4. Created a vignette to darken all the unecessary bright areas and make the subjects stand out.
See what you think. Cheers, Bruce. Posted: 02/11/2025 14:49:02
Hi Bruce, thank you for your detailed comment. I had also considered converting it to monochrome to avoid some of the lighting and colour issues, but in the end, I decided not to do it.
I really like your editing, I think it brings better cohesion between the elements in the image. Posted: 02/22/2025 20:00:03
I really like your editing, I think it brings better cohesion between the elements in the image. Posted: 02/22/2025 20:00:03
I love the story of this image, Maria, especially because I can think of a variety of stories of what is going on here. Placing the children in the lower corner gives me the feeling of the vastness of the forest and the lake. The egret's wings spread wide give me the feeling that it is there to help.
I am really impressed with how lifelike you make the children look, given the originals.
Personally, I might consider simplifying the background, perhaps with an oil painting filter. Stylizing the scene makes the slight unreality of the children feel more compatible to me. Posted: 02/14/2025 18:24:07
I am really impressed with how lifelike you make the children look, given the originals.
Personally, I might consider simplifying the background, perhaps with an oil painting filter. Stylizing the scene makes the slight unreality of the children feel more compatible to me. Posted: 02/14/2025 18:24:07
Hi Peggy, thank you for your comment and suggestion. I agree that the background draws a lot of attention, so blurring it or applying a filter to soften the trees could help to enhance the children more. Posted: 02/22/2025 20:03:36
Maria, So many interesting elements here. I love the stunning forrest but agree with the groups suggestion to simplify the background so as to draw attention to the subjects. I have been faced many times in this group with people telling me I need to remove the background and often take offense when it was the building block of the image. Visual story making does seem to force us to make compromises at times. A few tweaks and you have a very strong, playful and provocative image. Posted: 02/15/2025 05:19:51
Hi Brad, thank you very much for your comment and for encouraging me to improve the image. I never take constructive feedback as an offense.
I believe that exposing our images to critique helps us grow in knowledge and creativity. Most of the time, we have a sentimental attachment to our images, which can prevent us from noticing details that could be improved. Posted: 02/22/2025 20:08:41
I believe that exposing our images to critique helps us grow in knowledge and creativity. Most of the time, we have a sentimental attachment to our images, which can prevent us from noticing details that could be improved. Posted: 02/22/2025 20:08:41