[Boofers]

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Pictures like this seem to be hard for me to crop. I thought about the lower third, but liked the deep patterns. Should it be left alone?

[Angela]

I think I would crop the lower third out - to just above the heavier black twig coming across from the left. Lovely shot though

[skipper954]

I, too, think that it looks better cropped. Fine image.

skip

[Boofers]

Late December, early January, we had 3 1/2 Ice storms. I lost power for 3 days the first one. It was a Photo holiday. About 1200 shots. When I was a kid, there was a movie called "song of the south" about a rabbit and a briar patch. The deep patterns in pictures provide sense of mystery for me. I am missing the practical view about why or what the rule is other then thirds that apply. It sure would help with sorting these pictures.

[Rob Barron]

Zip a dee doo dah, zip a dee day, my oh my what a freezing cold day....

Sorry, couldn't resist that as you mentioned the beautiful film Sonf of the South.

I entirely agree that the bottom needs cropping BUT I would feel differently if it wasn't for the thick dark branch that cuts across about a third of the way up. If that wasn't there the darker area at the bottom would remain part of the main picture and would allow the eye to explore it. As it is that branch acts as a barrier to the eye from moving down.

Well seen image and well taken. Good stuff.
Cheers,
Rob

[nichpr]

I agree with Angela and Skip on the crop. With that crop you then have a stong diagonal in your frame. I like the specular highlights here. A sharper focus on that diagonal branch would really make it pop for me.

We experienced the ice storm here in Michigan as well. The low temps and wind chill made shooting a real challenge. I commend you for enduring it long enough for 1200 shots. We are now on day 23 without going above the freezing mark.

[Markulous]

OK, I'm going for the 'no crop' here as I do like that dark twiggy mass. Think that maybe it could be blended with some careful dodging to ease the transition and give it a variable light - it's a little 'heavy' at the moment!

[Boofers]

OK Markulous,
I gave it a try, stood back and it looked like a smear across the top. Maybe alittle blue color cast. This was different, haven't done alot of this, alot of B+W photo restoration but the colors react different with the effects you tried to bring out. It was fun

[fionaB]

a lovely image no matter if its cropped or not. i lveo the play of colours and light u have captured. well caught!

Fi

[Markulous]

Looks pretty good to me, tho' I went for more:


Dodged a fair bit to really lighten, sponge to desaturate the resulting blue hue (as you found!). Little bit of burn back some of the highlights at top. Massive sharpen! Border

[Rob Barron]

Love that pimp Mark, works really well. Had to start with something worth pimping and you certainly had that here so well done Boofers.

Cheers,
Rob

[Boofers]

Markulous,
dodgeing and burning,,and now the sponge tool will get more attention, good advice, thank you, I am sure this will come up again. I have to ask "how did you sharpen this"? I have been trying different ways of it. I have noticed that my pictures are darker on a windows machine then my mac at home,(I use windows at work), any advice on how to shift up the whites before shipping out? maybe a simple mid tone nudge.