[Rob Barron]

Ok, so let's put you in the picture: I think 'What should I put up for critique? Abstract? Nah, been done, mono conversions? Nah, Dave does those...' then I thought, 'Ah sod it, I am off on holiday so who cares if they think I am mad?'

Before anyone reports me to the NSPCC, this is NOT an original photo, it has had a touch of editing My nephew is apple nuts. Indeed, his mum often says 'You've got apples on the brain!'

Now you see where the pic idea came from. I called it 'An A-pealing Smile' nad mainly made it to show a few PS techniques to my students. Not supposed to be great, just a bit of fun but go ahead and tell me what you think.

[Steve]

I’ll have a stab at this…

Great advertising picture and it clearly demonstrates your proficiency with and the sheer power of Photoshop. Your attention to detail and the seamless blending of the different images is what makes this shot work but then its not pretending to be anything other than a ‘composite’ picture. The way you have altered the colours on the peel as it changes from skin to apple and then the shadow from the inside are the main areas that shout quality work. The only slight criticisms that I can offer is the beginning of the peel at the head doesn’t quite look correct to me and also the white background behind your ‘apple mad’ nephew contrast a little too much compared to the darker green at the top.

I feel slightly awkward offering criticisms on your PS skills though as they are far beyond my capabilities

I hope that’s the type of feedback you were looking for?

[Rob Barron]

Thanks Steve, I am happy for anyone to offer anything at all, just popped it up for a bit of fun and to get people talking I suppose

I appreciate your comments and yes, if I were doing this again I'd probably make a bit more effort with the background. To be honest, I went for something quick and easy as I was mostly wanting to show some specific methods to people in my group at the time.

I wonder if you can get arrested for peeling someone's head? My nephew, who was about 14 at the time, thought it was cool and I gave it to him as an A3 poster for his bedroom.... and ended up making about 20 for his mates! He did of course pay me.... in apples <g>

Cheers,
Rob

[lolyton]

I think the images people display show a good insight into their personality...LOL.
Also people that go on holiday generaly come back to the people they left, so it all catches up.
Having said that, the reason you did it and the image you have displayed i can'y really find fault with. If it looks as seamless big as it does samll then a job has been done well, and i'm sure your students will have learned a lot from you.
As things that come to mind go....If there is a hand holding up the apple, what is holding up the peeler (maybe a mute point, but the way my mind works). Also the peeler's colour is just a little to heavy for me.
Other than that as a surrealist image it works by fact of it being surreal and done to what appears a high standard.

[Dave]

I know who's brains I'm gonna be picking or peeling for PS now

[Markulous]

Nice bit of DM!

Personally, I'd have left out the top (peeler, apple and hand) on the 'Less is More' principle and gone for a much darker BG. And feel that more could've been done with light/shadows.

But, when all's said and done, I wish my DM skills were up to even thinking of attempting something like this!