Moss

[Dennis Bishop]

We were hiking along a trail in North Carolina's Stone Mountain State Park, when this scene appeared. Time was running short, but I had to get it because of the color, the rocks, and the roots.

Nikon D3S, ISO 200, f/22, seven-exposure HDR at 1 EV increments, zoom at 30mm

processing highlights

• cropped a small amount from the top for composition
• patched a man-made step that was part of the trail
• Topaz Simplify -- Watercolor II
• Nik Color Efex -- Sunlight and Contrast Color Range
• Photo Filter adjustment layer -- Warming 85
• Flypaper Texture -- one layer with a perfect mix of browns and greens
• Fractalius -- three B&W layers at Multiply blend mode (one masked for a uniform gradient vignette)
• Alien Skin Snap Art -- Stylize Line Art, dark brown lines, Multiply blend mode

[Cheryl Slechta]

Dennis, you have really mastered this technique. I like the composition with the tree and rock and just the hint of a path behind them going into the woods.

[Paul Lagasi]

Very nice composition, spot on effects. As Cheryl said a master of this style.

[Nancy Bell]

Dennis, this could be your signature style! I have tried to follow in your footsteps but seem to stumble greatly with the masks, etc. Love the way all the elements work together and draw my eye up the trunk and into the forest beyond. Makes me want to be there and walk beyond the tree!

[Anita Bower]

I'm a bit late to this discussion. As always, lovely processing work. (By the way, what is the correct term: processing, post-processing or editing?) The composition is pleasing, with the large tree in the foreground catching my attention first, but with detail in the background which give me a sense of the setting. My taste would be for a bit more texture or detail in the lighter green areas of the tree and rocks. My main suggestion is to give it a bit of a clockwise rotation.