This image was captured in Lancaster County Pa. I processed with Topaz Simplify and added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations. Also did a layer mask to bring back some livestock (It's a farm right?). I'm not sure if I shouldn't have the buildings placed a bit more left in the frame, but I didn't want the leftmost tree to run into the edge. Thoughts?
When I look at this, the buildings that immediately grab my attention are the foreground ones starting at the small silo on the right and extending to the left edge of the house. To me, the visual mass is already far enough left of center that I wouldn't change it. From the standpoint of composition, I did wonder about moving those buildings up a bit, but I discarded that idea. The amount of foreground is already pleasing, and I really like where the dark horizontal line immediately above the barn falls in the image. So, overall, thumbs up for composition.
Your use of Simplify was excellent, and masking the cattle back was a great idea. Using a texture seems appropriate, too, but I'm not sure what I think about this one. My first reaction was that it was a bit blotchy. That's probably a good thing in the sky, but I'd be tempted to look at masking it back slightly in the rest of the image. All in all, I really like what you've done.
Understand your dilemma. Nice overall shot. Hope I didn't intrude too much into your work, but I did a pano crop to help bring the animals more to attention----purely, purely, a personal choice for you. It's your vision as they way. The main thing that sort of bothered me, though is the contrast of the stark, bold lines of the buildings against the more subtle, soft lines of the lanscape. To me, the buildings look just a bit "placed" , though living near Lancaster County for years, I know this is an accurate shot. Perhaps if you could soften the buildings just a bit, it would look more all in one. I like the general comp and placement of the animals so that they are not front and center but are definitely there because, yes it is a farm.
Last edited by Hazel Grant; 04-12-2012 at 04:13 PM.
Reason: forgot the redo
Dave, After carefully studying this I have found that I prefer it better with the bottom green triangle eliminated with a crop. That doesn't mean anyone else will but I find it more pleasing to "my eye". I like the texture and the painterly look. It has a wonderful Lancaster feel to it. Nicely seen.
Hazel and I must have posted at the same time. Her repost is very nice but I am not very fond of tight panos.
Last edited by denise ippolito; 04-12-2012 at 04:22 PM.
Very interesting image and processing. Like Dennis said, the first thing that grabs my eye are the buildings. I find them very sharp and defined, and in contrast to the rest of the image. I would probably prefer a softer feel to them. I also prefer the less tight crop on this. It's a beautiful scene. I can certainly see why you took it.
Some excellent comments, and I can see that you've all put some very careful thought into your replies. When I posted this, I was undecided about the blotchyness of the texture and was curious as to what others reaction would be. Dennis has given me a direction to explore on that issue. I didn't notice the green tiangle until you mentioned it Denise. Need to slow myself down even more. I think I have to agree about the about the starkness of the buildings, and will also explore a crop somewhere between the original and Hazels version. I'm glad to have the discussion on the image. Thanks to all.
Dave, many good comments about cropping and composition already given, but I am going to comment on the effect...I have seen lots of watercolors painted this way, I like the texture and colors, well done.
Dave, some clarification . . . My original comment about the buildings capturing my attention was only in response to your question about moving them further left and explaining why I like them where they are. They do stand out, but I think that's appropriate.
Once again I'm happy to see such constructive thoughts. I am still back and forth on the texture thing (should stop being so wishy-washy) At any rate you've all given me lots of paths to experiment and at some point it will probably click for me. Nice to have a place to throw things up for a great dialogue.
Nice farm image, Paul. I like the crisp look to the buildings, but it does seem a little at odds with the soft watercolor look to the rest of the image(which I like a lot too BTW ). I would get rid of the sharp line to the right of the trees.
Nice image. I like the composition as is, but also would like it cropped. I like the sharp buildings as well as the softer landscape, but would want the image to go one way or the other--either all sharp or all soft/blotchy. Keep up the creative work!
Down on the Farm
. I'm not sure if I shouldn't have the buildings placed a bit more left in the frame, but I didn't want the leftmost tree to run into the edge. Thoughts?
) At any rate you've all given me lots of paths to experiment and at some point it will probably click for me. Nice to have a place to throw things up for a great dialogue.
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