Holiday Bush +final RP

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 10, 2016258 views12 comments

Ok, so I didn't think of the title until just now... but on working with this image the upright leaves could be looked at as the flames of candles. In fact, in PS some extreme tweaks and it's easy enough to do, but I tried to retain some real here. ;-) But these also could be some light bulbs on a tree, or I'm even seeing a sidways, obscure looking Menorah.

Anyway, "leaves over the Merced" was a theme I sought out during our trip to the valley. Again, the high water allowed for some autumn images of this type that are not normally there. I was struck by the back lighting of these few remaining leaves on this plant overhanging the river. (no idea what kind of plant - some kind of Willow? Preston, any idea?) I'm a little unsure of this and so would like your reaction and critique. I'm gonna post two slightly different images with the difference being the flow in the river and one slightly darker than the other.

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 10, 2016 at 1:40 PM

different frame

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jake Alletson on December 10, 2016 at 1:47 PM

Beautifully seen and beautifully done. I would go with the first version.

Registered on May 3, 2016, 12 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 10, 2016 at 2:52 PM

Lon, this is real nice, and I definitely prefer the original to the repost. I am on the fence a little with the bare branch in the upper left corner, but that is minor. You might consider cloning the dark line in the water at the very top right. For some reason it grabs my eye. That is minor, as well. This is very nicely crafted.

As to the ID of the tree, I believe this is a Bay Laurel., but if there is a dendrologist in the group, I would be happy to hear from them.
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 10, 2016 at 3:45 PM

Thanks for the comments gents. Preston, good call on the Laurel. I believe you're correct since these are the same plants found under the canopy of black oak at the west end of El Cap Meadow. I remember you ID'ing these before!

Also good call on the dark areas up top. That kinda bugged me too. Also the upper left, but my content aware clone job up there is a hack job, just not as noticeable in this we size. I left some branches as removing everything didn't look very natural. I also painted a gentle blur on the water in the top area as well.

An improvement?

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 10, 2016 at 4:28 PM

I like the candelabra look to this branch. The repeating arcs, one below the other, with the color at the ends gives this a certain grace. To be honest, I thought that was snow behind it, which would have nice as well. Now that I know this is water I'm pretty sure that's a willow. It's a very nice image, Lon. Good composition with curved lines and a smattering of color. I really don't think there's much difference between the original and the repost. Perhaps if it were mine I would be more critical.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 11, 2016 at 10:28 AM

I do like the candelabra affect as pointed out. I would probably lose that entire upper branch if you do anything with it. Overall, nice but not in my "favorite Overacker" category.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on December 11, 2016 at 1:01 PM

Great eye. I like the final version above. I can imagine a little less detail (reducing contrast or clarity) in the water and a tish more color in the leaves. Overall, I'm with Harley on this one. Nice work, but compared to your usual, just nice.

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 11, 2016 at 3:54 PM

Lon, I think this comp work quite nice and I enjoy the feel this has. The third version works best for me but I think it might have a nicer flow by completely getting rid of the very upper branch as Harley mentioned.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 11, 2016 at 8:42 PM

Ok, a final repost. Thanks so much for the feedback. I think I've incorporated most of the feedback. Not terribly comfortable with such a big clone, but I agree that top corner was a bit of a detraction. I've cloned, but also cropped in slightly from the sides. I wasn't really happy with the "fat" vertical anyway. I also reduced the contrast and softened the water more as well as brightening up the leaves with even more of a glow. I'm liking the final result.

Thanks again!

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on December 11, 2016 at 9:11 PM

This was a fine image to start with, Lon. Even the thumbnail was eye-catching. The cloning of the upper branch and the more subtle revisions made this even better. Really like the orange leaves against the soft blue water.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 11, 2016 at 10:46 PM

I think the final repost is a significant improvement. I never understood or agreed with the need to remove the branches up too. If they're coming in from the left frame why would having them leave from the top frame be an issue? But the work on the river has really been beneficial to my way of thinking.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on March 6, 2017 at 11:09 AM

Delicious and I prefer this to the closer crop. Seems to breathe more. Great subtle colorsand lines.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments