Dramatic Clouds

[Judy Howle]

Another from the same series. I used the same preset in Lr, Aquarella, and Exposure 7.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Wow, Judy, I don't think I get sunsets like that here! Gorgeous colors. I would probably prefer a little more detail in the tree if you've got it.

[Dennis Bishop]

The colors and diagonals have a real impact. You've taken good advantage of that sky, for sure. I'd suggest a couple minor things. The top of that single tree doesn't have a lot of context, so I'd add some more trees or select this one and do a content aware fill. There's a lot of good color and tonality variation in the dark lower left corner. I'd lighten that up using a gradient mask with Levels so it's more in line with the bottom right corner.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Judy,

Stunning colours and tonality and I like your thinking behind the composition, IMO the tree top works well as an anchor for the entire frame. Indeed very dramatic, this image makes me think of a Kalahari sky after rain!

I am not familiar with the technique or software you have used here but the result is one very pleasing and vibrant canvas I so enjoyed looking at - thank you so much for sharing

Kind regards,

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Cheryl! The colors mostly came from the filter which is one reason I like it. The watercolor effect took out the detail in the tree and I didn't save a layered/large version since I was just "playing".

Wow, Judy, I don't think I get sunsets like that here! Gorgeous colors. I would probably prefer a little more detail in the tree if you've got it.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Dennis, and for the good suggestions. I debated on taking the tree top out before the filter work but decided to leave it in. Since I'm working on 2 other projects right now (and it's not a theme image) I'm just going to leave it as is. If I was going to print it, I'd definitely do something about the dark corner and probably remove the tree top.

The colors and diagonals have a real impact. You've taken good advantage of that sky, for sure. I'd suggest a couple minor things. The top of that single tree doesn't have a lot of context, so I'd add some more trees or select this one and do a content aware fill. There's a lot of good color and tonality variation in the dark lower left corner. I'd lighten that up using a gradient mask with Levels so it's more in line with the bottom right corner.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks very much Gabriela!

Hello Judy,

Stunning colours and tonality and I like your thinking behind the composition, IMO the tree top works well as an anchor for the entire frame. Indeed very dramatic, this image makes me think of a Kalahari sky after rain!

I am not familiar with the technique or software you have used here but the result is one very pleasing and vibrant canvas I so enjoyed looking at - thank you so much for sharing

Kind regards,

[Nancy Bell]

The dynamic of the reds and blues is very dramatic & eye-catching! However, to me the darkness on the left is somewhat overwhelming and the tree on the right is a bit insignificant, especially since it is along the foreground edge like the darkness. Dennis has some good suggestions, but I get it that it is sometimes just fun playing with the effects and I sometimes can spend way too much time that way!

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Nancy, you hit the nail on the head! I didn't really pay attention to the dark part as in "I should do something about that", haha. I was working on 5 photos and several with different filters/looks.

The dynamic of the reds and blues is very dramatic & eye-catching! However, to me the darkness on the left is somewhat overwhelming and the tree on the right is a bit insignificant, especially since it is along the foreground edge like the darkness. Dennis has some good suggestions, but I get it that it is sometimes just fun playing with the effects and I sometimes can spend way too much time that way!