Gordon Watson
November 2024 - Bled Castle
Original
About the Image(s)
A bit of Halloween fun. This is Bled Castle at Lake Bled in Slovenia, which looks exactly like something out of Dracula. The original is an HDR image with lifted shadows in Lightroom. I then replaced the sky in Photoshop with a gradient fill by sampling the original colours - that gives a clean cloudless sky to add the moon. The bats were from a shop window display then I stretched the cliff for added height and composed a poem:-
There was a young Count of Bled,
Who liked his wine rather red,
Of wine he did tire,
Became a vampire,
And now he's among the undead.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Very nice! But what is the light from below the castle. It's too focused to be from the sun? Posted: 11/04/2024 21:40:15
Thanks Sanford. It's a spotlight to light up the cliff. Yes, perhaps I should have tried to balance the light running up the cliff face. Posted: 11/10/2024 16:54:51
Your creative imagination never ceases to amaze me....love everything about this image from the moon, sky, castle, bats. Your attention to detail is amazing...there is just enough texture in the shadowy area of the trees complimented with a bit of softness in that area. And, on top of this, you are a poet...This is a wonderfull image. l can't wait to see what your December image will be like. Will Santa Claus be making an appearance in your December image? Posted: 11/18/2024 01:04:46
Thanks Henriette. I was at a photoshoot on Saturday, but no Santa Claus I'm afraid. Posted: 11/25/2024 08:56:23
Wonderful composition! Just had some of this in trivia this past week:
How did Dracula get his name?
While writing his endlessly influential novel Dracula, author Bram Stoker was inspired by Central European folklore in general and Vlad III in particular, whom history often remembers by a more colorful name: Vlad the Impaler. The son of Vlad Dracul, he's believed to have been born in Transylvania, eventually became voivode (ruler) of Wallachia (a region of Romania south of Transylvania), and more than earned his nickname by impaling his enemies. Vlad Dracul took his name when he joined the Order of the Dragon, a secret cabal of Christian knights; "dracul" is Romanian for "dragon." As fate would have it, "Dracula" means "son of Dracul."
Posted: 11/23/2024 18:39:32
How did Dracula get his name?
While writing his endlessly influential novel Dracula, author Bram Stoker was inspired by Central European folklore in general and Vlad III in particular, whom history often remembers by a more colorful name: Vlad the Impaler. The son of Vlad Dracul, he's believed to have been born in Transylvania, eventually became voivode (ruler) of Wallachia (a region of Romania south of Transylvania), and more than earned his nickname by impaling his enemies. Vlad Dracul took his name when he joined the Order of the Dragon, a secret cabal of Christian knights; "dracul" is Romanian for "dragon." As fate would have it, "Dracula" means "son of Dracul."
Posted: 11/23/2024 18:39:32
Thanks for the info Trey. I was aware of Vlad the Impaler but now I have looked a bit further into his story. Who knew the Digital Dialogue would be a source of information! Posted: 11/25/2024 08:48:17
A great composite Gordon. All your chosen elements fit in nicely and you have ended up with a very strong image. I have nothing to add to further it other than congratulations. Posted: 11/25/2024 02:27:26
Thanks for your comments Ian. Posted: 11/25/2024 08:50:25
A very creative and well-done image Gordon. The elements you added (especially the moon) and your attention to detail are outstanding. Posted: 11/28/2024 02:00:34
Thanks for your comments Jay. The moon was the main idea - the bats are just a bit of fun. Posted: 11/28/2024 08:27:58