Winter Wonderland

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted January 10, 2011434 views19 comments

We certainly have had our share of snow this year, as have most parts of the country. But, I ventured out today between the snow showers and managed to take a few images. This barn is across the street from my house and belongs to my neighbor, Dean.

I used a texture overlay called Botched Painting (from Shadowhouse Creations) and some enhancements in Color Efex Pro with both the Brilliance/Warmth filter and the Tonal Contrast filter.

Camera is a Nikon D70, handheld in the snow!

I have just started working with textures and really like how they change the feel of the image. I'm trying not to go "over the top" with the saturation and contrast. I'm still in the learning phase of textures and plan to do more.

Thoughts, ideas ... all are very much welcomed.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 10, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Charlie, thanks for your suggestion. I appreciate what someone else sees that I just don't catch. I'll work on cloning out the fence to see how it looks. Great suggestion. Thanks again.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 10, 2011 at 5:16 PM

I worked on this image and cloned out the fence. Thanks Charlie, I like how this looks without the fence.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 11, 2011 at 3:10 PM

I really like the scene/comp, a nice rustic feel. I also like the texture effect on the barn and woods. But im not real crazy about the textures on the snow and sky--looks like im looking through a (very) dirty window or something, just doesnt appeal to me. Keep experimenting!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 11, 2011 at 3:42 PM

Thanks again for the comments, very much appreciated. I went back to my original image and removed the texture overlay and then enhanced with Color Efex Pro. I like the image without the fence so that is the one I reworked. I'm so new at both textures and these other products so I'll just keep trying. Thanks everyone. Here's the image without the texture overlay.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on January 12, 2011 at 8:42 AM

I really like the image and your rework made it even better. A minor nit...I think if it were mine I'd consider cloning out the man-made structures (?) just to the left of the barn roof in the BG; would add to the isolated feeling of the image. Good job.

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 12, 2011 at 3:02 PM

More great suggestions ... thanks for them all. I'll rework again, but I'm probably over my limit of posting on this page. Gosh, I also see a small light on the roof on the right side. I think that could come out too. Back to the drawing board. But then, that's what I love about NPN ... I take your critiques seriously. Thanks everyone.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 12, 2011 at 4:15 PM

I really like the repost--beautiful!!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 12, 2011 at 5:35 PM

Thanks Stan. I do too. In fact, I printed and framed this last reposted image and gave it to my neighbor since he scraped off our driveway yesterday. We've had 8 inches of snow but it's about to end soon. He was very surprised and loved the picture. Gave me great joy.

Thanks to all who viewed this image and gave me great comments. I really appreciate it very much.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 12, 2011 at 9:30 PM

Hi Cindy, thanks so much for your comments. The last repost is definitely my favorite too. I'm still in the learning stages about textures and other enhancement programs. But, I'm enjoying the learning process and comments from fellow photographers really help me see all the possibilities. I printed the last repost and it looked really good, so I'm very happy with it now. Thanks so much for viewing and sharing your thoughts.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on January 13, 2011 at 3:02 PM

A real beauty Barbara and I think I like the one with the fence because it adds interest. Great texturing.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 13, 2011 at 4:47 PM

More great comments and suggestions. I wonder if the image would look better with a more rustic-type fence, rather than the barbed wire? This has turned into one of my favorite images. Thanks again to everyone for viewing and for commenting.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 20, 2011 at 12:34 AM

Congrats on the fine WP!
The re-post is just excellent!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 20, 2011 at 2:09 AM

Excellent work on this Barbara. I like how the barn lies in the landscape, though I wish the fence wasn't there. Love the wintery color palette, the detail in the trees and the look of the texture overlay. Congratulations for the Pick.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 20, 2011 at 7:07 AM

David and everyone at NPN, thanks very much for the Editor's pick for Winter Wonderland. This image has become one of my favorites, with the fence and without the fence, and the repost. I appreciate all the comments I received earlier in this post and feel that all the suggestions are making me a better photographer. Sometimes I don't always see what is there in front of me, or my camera. I will continue to work on my craft and look forward to your comments and critiques. Now, I'll just get out there and shoot. Thanks again.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 20, 2011 at 11:36 AM

Very cool shot, Barbara. I like all three versions, with the second probably being my favorite. Congrats on the weekly pick!

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 20, 2011 at 12:07 PM

Barbara: Congrats on the WP. Marvelous scene superbly rendered. It also makes me appreciate Texas even more!

>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on January 20, 2011 at 2:57 PM

Wonderful painterly effect, Congratulations on your WP!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on January 20, 2011 at 3:15 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments. Say Bill ... are you sure I can't send you some snow? We're expecting snow tonight and into tomorrow and then again early next week. Oh well, I can't complain as it has given me some great photo opportunities. Phil, I like the second post too. Although I still like the idea of a fence, maybe it just needs to be more rustic. Thanks again to everyone for viewing and sharing your comments. Now I'll wait for more snow.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on January 22, 2011 at 10:06 AM

Wonderfully composed with great light, Barbara! I like the results
of your post-processing. Venturing out in inclemental weather is
often worth the effort as shown here. I prefer the revised version
(the final one)without the fence and the dramatic color change.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments