[Hacker]

I thought I'd try and create a fine art type of look with this image taken today in bright sunlight at a dressage show but I think it's lacking something. I realise it's dark but that is one of the effects I was trying to achieve.

Any thoughts or is it just crap!

[fionaB]

its certainly not crap Hacker but although i do like dark images, i do think its just a tad too dark........... i dont mean dont do it dark, but just perhaps bring it up a teeny bit,
You have retained the light on the horse beautifully to keep its form and movement, but the legs are slightly lost in the light.
I can see this being an absolute cracker however . what a good idea.

Fiona

[danpen]

It's an interesting effect, I'm not sure it really suits the subject though

[Dave]

I can see what you are trying to achieve & yes it will be cracking when finished. For it to work though the impression of very specific light has to be consistant across the subject. Easier said than done

Recommend you chuck the original in the PIMP section Colin, asking others to have a go at the effect you are after. Quite happy to have a go myself & attempt to describe steps taken.

[Hacker]

I must admit the original looks a lot different to this one, the colours are richer but some aspects of my processing are letting it down - I really must learn about layer masking!

The original is now waiting to be pimped.

[Dave]

Chucked my PIMP in here :- http://www.pixalo.com/gallery/showph...o/3227/cat/582

[Angela]

Hacker, if it's alright with you, can I run this one by a friend of mine who's on the Board of the British Dressage Association? I think it's a fantastic idea and she might be able to give some feedback as to whether that's something that might go down well commercially.

Or you can tell me to

[Steve]

For me it works pretty well except that you have lost the top part of the riders head during the processing. I would concider that to be a vital part of the shot but with the hat being black on a dark background I can see it being difficult to get correct.

Its a great idea though and once you have the processing mastered I can see prints being popular

[Hacker]

Dave, thanks for the effort but it's not quite the image I was after although that has disticnct possiblities. On the one above I added an action called Midnight Sepia which is one of my favourite actions. I want the horse and rider to almost glow whilst bringing down the background so everything is focussed on the horse and rider, but as I said earlier I'm after what I can only describe as a fine art look to the final image. I know what I want to achieve but I'm having difficulty not only processing it but also explaining it.

Does anyone know of easy to follow tutorials on layer masks? I've done it once before but cannot remember how!

Angela, please feel free, at this time of year I'm quite heavily involved in the dressage scene and my wife is also a dressage queen.

I must admit the original intention was not to offer this type of shot to clients as a rule but it was for my personal 'collection'.

[Dave]

Note also that if you start spending considerable time in PS, you need to bump up your costs accordingly. I've seen Photographers charging around £150 an hr for competent PS processing.

[Hacker]

Version II....

[Dave]

I like the processing on the horse & rider, but as I put in my PIMP you are fighting a losing battle with that background. I would choose a different shot with a much simpler background, to hone your processing.....otherwise you'll go mad

[Steve]

I think you have done an excellent job at 'rescuing' the riders hat and making it visible but I much prefer the greener processing of the first shot along with slightly more background being visible. In the second version it looks much more like a spotlight is on the rider (which of course may or may not be what you were after)?