Acorn

Very simple composition for this image, just an acorn sitting on a leaf. I toned this image using one of the tritones that I've created. Any comments and suggestions would be most appreciated!

Olympus SP-550 UZ
f8 @ 1/8, ISO 200, -0.7 EV
Aperture priority mode, pattern metering
Processed in PS CS2; cropped a bit, curves adjustment, channel mixer, shadow/highlight, converted to tritone, added a slight vignette, and cloned out a few light spots on the leaf

This acorn looks like it has had a hard life, all the scratches and scuffs. Like your placement in the frame and your toning. I may be getting picky but is the shadow at the base too dark? Just want to give you my .02 Christopher. I always think of printing where everything turns out darker than the picture (for me anyways):).

Christopher, I like the toning and the composition. You are getting really good at this color toning. I might sharpen the crown just a bit. Nicely done.

Thanks Jackie and Denise for your comments. Much appreciated. Jackie, you may be right that the base shadow could use a little lightening up. I'll have to give it a try.

Didn't mean it as a criticism Christopher, I always PP with a view to print. Don't know if you do. I am really enjoying your toned images.

I was taking it as a suggestion, Jackie, not a criticism :). I haven't done much printing of my photos, so most of my PP is with a view for web more than print; but I would like to print more.

Hi Christopher,
I love the textural quality that this has and, of course, the toning. It doesn't really look like an English acorn!! Agree with Jackie that the shadow might be a little heavy.
I like to print out some of my favorite images as I find that that is the best way to really assess them...they do seem to take on a different quality as prints and sometimes I prefer them, sometimes not. But it is always an interesting excercise!
Best,
Nicki

Thanks very much for looking and commenting, Nicki!

Another winner, Chris. I, too, think a little lightning or contrast wouldn't be a bad thing here as the image feels limited in the tonal range and that can sometimes leave an image feeling flat.

I'm so glad to see you really getting into the tritones! The one thing I learned from it is how important composition is to a good photograph. Take away the color and that composition better be right on or it can really be a mess. You're doing very well in both respects!

Thanks a lot, Jules! :)