Big Bright Light Show -- 2011

[Dennis Bishop]

This was a corner building decorated on two faces with green (obviously) lights for the holiday light show.

Nikon D3s, ISO 200, f/25, 13 seconds, zoom blur with some stationary time at both ends (It was a 28 - 85mm zoom. According to the metadata, the setting was 55mm, which is just about half way, so maybe I used the full range and that's an average??? Or maybe that was the high end because I'm pretty sure I was standing close to the building.)

post-processing

• Topaz Simplify -- Watercolor II at reduced opacity
• Flypaper Textures -- texture at reduced opacity as a starting point to replace the sky
• Redfield Fractalius -- two b&w layers based on the previous Sketch preset, Multiply blend mode; one one entire image, the other gradient masked to darken the bottom of the image
• Alien Skin Snap Art -- Stylize Line Art, Divide blend mode at reduced opacity, masked off the top edges of the building
• The stars were added manually with a soft brush at two diameters.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Dennis, I like the steep ceiling diagonals and the green lights radiating in opposite directions. The stars are nicely done too

[Nancy Bell]

Wonderful how the zoomed lights fit perfectly inside the sharp diagonals of the roof. I like the not-quite symmetrical-ness of the radiating lights. The stars in the sky are just enough to keep your eye moving up instead of being stopped by the roof. I also like that the stars are the same kind of round dots found all throughout the green lights.

[denise ippolito]

Very festive and fun! I like the effect and will have to try this myself-thanks for the inspiration!

[Steve Adkins]

Great effect, Dennis! I feel as though we are witnessing a warp drive... maybe this is how Santa gets it done in one night??

[Jay Sheinfield]

Great holiday capture. I like the radiating pattern, especially in bright green. The triangle is a strong composition element, nice work Dennis!

[Judy Howle]

Excellent composition Dennis! I love the green lights and the texture in the sky. Your stars look good and make the sky come alive.

[Anita Bower]

You did a nice job on this image. It is not my favorite of yours, but don't know why.