Textured Cone

[Christopher Miller]

I haven't been able to come up with anything for the current theme yet, so I've been playing with some new texture overlays. This is a hemlock cone that I photographed recently and texturized. I applied one of my textures using hard light blending mode at 58% opacity and then applied the same texture again using multiply blending mode at 100% opacity. Any comments and suggestions would be most appreciated.

[denise ippolito]

Christopher, I like the texture BG and the pinecone looks nice. I like how you have revealed parts of it. The pinecone seems a bit high in the frame or maybe it needs some more dimension? I'm not sure -I can't put my finger on it. But it is a lovely image and I do like it a lot.:)

[Kora Baker]

I like the treatment of the subject, Christopher. And that texture is great. Lovely definition in the cone too. I do agree with denise about its placing in the frame. It just seems to be sitting a little uncomfortably. If that makes any sense!:)

[Barbara Kile]

Christopher, I'm not into the theme either, but I like this. Applying your texture twice using 2 blending modes seems to have worked well. Regarding the 'dimension' I wonder if you did the 20/50/0 contrast adjustment? Since this is a web-sized image, I would reduce all settings appropriately and do it on a duplicate bg layer so you could paint off the background if that was affected too much. Just a thought - someone else might have a further suggestion on this, but often I find that unsharp mask adjustment gives some 'pop.' It might give some further texture contrast to the wood too.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Christopher,
I like this as presented. I feel adding contrast will take away from the feel (sorry ladies:D)....and I'm usually a high contrast kind of guy! Like the subtle vignette too....you have to keep this one around for Christmas!

[Christopher Miller]

Thanks Denise, Kora, Barbara, and Roman. Appreciate the comments and suggestions. :)

Since this was FF, I tried cropping closer to move the cone lower down in the frame. Barbara, I also tried your suggestion of an unsharp mask contrast adjustment, though I kept it rather subtle in order to retain the feel. Let me know what you all think.

[denise ippolito]

Christopher, I think it looks great!:) I couldn't figure out what it was but you sure did.

[Barbara Kile]

Yes, it's very subtle, but it does show more texture in the pine cone. I wouldn't be afraid to crank it up another notch, but it looks good to me as presented.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Christopher, I really love this - repost rocks - I love the textures in particular and the cone almost has a 3D look. Very nice!
Best,
Nicki

[Kora Baker]

Great work, Christopher! It has lifted it beautifully:)

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful composition, Christopher. Excellent texture and bg. The repost is great.

[Paul Lagasi]

Almost could be part plaster wall painting...really like what you've done with both of these images

[Christopher Miller]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated. :)

[Cheryl Slechta]

Christopher, the repost is a masterpiece! Beautifully done.

[Christopher Miller]

Thanks Cheryl!