Third and Lynn after a deluge

I spent a good bit of my summer in the community where this intersection is. I'd walked past this house dozens of times. It has character in both its lines and its condition, and I kept saying I should spend some time photographing details. It was empty the whole time, I think, and probably would've welcomed the attention. It didn't take me long to become skeptical of the weather forecast for the community, so I started making my own predictions based on the radar map. On this day, the forecast called for rain, but I disagreed and headed out on foot with lots of photo gear. Hours later, I was fortunately indoors when the storm hit. After the rain stopped, I headed back home and was stopped by the reflection in the large puddle. (Next time I'm there, I should show this to the man across the street who wondered what I saw that he didn't.)

Nikon D3s, ISO 1600, f/22, eight-exposure HDR at 1 EV increments, zoom lens at 38mm

processing highlights

• Topaz Simplify -- saved watercolor preset, 88% opacity, masked
• Alien Skin Snap Art -- saved watercolor wash preset, Color blend mode, 80% opacity
• Nik Color Efex -- Darken/Lighten Center on front porch, 39% opacity, masked from right edge
• Fractalius -- three black & white preset layers, Multiply blend mode, various opacities, two different masks
• Alien Skin Snap Art -- saved Stylize Line Art b&w preset, Multiply blend mode, 44% opacity, masked
• Topaz Simplify -- saved b&w edges preset, Multiply blend mode, 57% opacity
• nonuniform gradient vignette
• I briefly considered getting rid of the stop sign and the other sign on the same post, but opted to darken all but the street-name signs instead

This is gorgeous. I love, love the look you have developed. The composition is just right. The tree acts as a bit of a frame for showcasing the windows. The signs work nicely. The puddle is the perfect thing to make this image extra special.

A Bishop original, like your style. A pleasant composition. Thanks for the workflow details...good work, keep them coming.

Hi, Dennis, I've missed you and your signature images this summer. This one is really, really nice. I especially love the reflection and the one way sign:S3:

Dennis,

Greetings. I was looking at the reflection and thinking what great detail in the shadows when I thought... is this HDR? As to the Ming Thien quote... the HDR doesn't jump out at you but it sure has an impact. Enjoy your skills on display. I like that there is much to look at but still a quiet, peaceful scene. Good show!

Cheers,

-Michael-

Dennis, I have missed your unique style. This is great! As always love the details with the sketch like look. Agree the reflection is icing on the cake.
Viewing on a small tablet. Writing is slow and so easy to make goofy mistakes! Also will need to view images bigger to really appreciate.

Dennis, as other's have noted-this image represents well the unique style you've developed. The composition is spot on, as is the processing. Tons of appeal as it could be from Anytown, USA. I feel one of the strongest elements is the reflection and how it was handled. Agree there's something slightly distracting about the stop sign, but I'm not sure how to address it. Color, contrast and tones all work well together. Brighter area around the porch locks the viewer in. This one is something special, well done.

Wonderful! I never would have guessed HDR -- you created beautiful light to go with a great composition! The reflection is classy!

There have been a few exceptions, but nearly all the shots I've taken in about the last five or six years have been HDRs. It took me a while to get on board because I wanted something that looked like what my eyes see and not something that looked unnatural. The grungy look in the early Photomatix ads really put me off. I don't know how many images I've posted here, but I'd guess only a couple aren't HDRs. I can think of one image I posted from an non-bracketed shot taken in 2008. I ended up using the Exposure slider in Adobe Camera RAW to bracket the exposure and, then, tone-mapped it.

you are winning me over to HDR....I just must get on board. Doubt I can ever reach the Bishop level, but HDR sure looks like a fun new area.

Like the other commenter, I knew this was yours before seeing your name.....great work. And I think the signs are a good touch. Glad you didn't get rid of them.

I love the scene and the watercolour effect. I never would have guessed it was HDR. Compositionally the stop sign doesn't bother me as it is gray and therefore neutral and doesn't attract my eye too much. I might back off on the vignette a bit. Nice to see you posting.

Dennis, Jackie's right-it's not the sign creating the minor distraction (for me) but rather the brighter blank space below it. Here's a quick (and sloppy) patch adding grass and shrub texture/ tones which sort of mimic the spot in the reflection. Attachment 144552

I like that, Randall. Makes it look like it wouldn't be that hard to remove the sign. If things like that are cloned out before the artwork is done, the patch job will be well-concealed.

Thanks, Randall. I like what you did.

I like what Randall did also.

Very nice Dennis, and good to see you back. I trust you had a great summer of capturing images. I also like the patch job, not a huge deal but it is a nice touch. We can only dream of puddles of water here in the parched southwest. Well done.