Spooky! PS processing suggestions for this?

[Dana]

Took this last night, and really like how it came out in terms of elements and composition. Aside from critical comments (which I would love, especially in terms of manual settings, etc., for night shots), I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for processing in PS to punch it up a bit - I'm going for a Sleepy Hollow spooky look. I've only got PS Elements loaded right now (re-did the computer and haven't got all my programs reloaded) so I'm interested in simpler actions that PS Elements can handle as well as more complex stuff for when I get around to reloading everything. . .

And if you feel I should just leave it be, that would be interesting to hear as well! :-)

Thanks very much.

Dana

http://home.san.rr.com/dawhites/Images/spookynight.jpg

(640x480 reduction of original JPG, direct from camera. Shot at f2.8, 1.6s, ISO 50.)

[Conk]

There isn't much that I see that I personally would do with this particular photo. One thing is that I would try and keep track of is when the next full moon or just a larger crescent would pass over this same area and re-shoot it.
The moon is a bit small in this photo.
What camera are you using?

[Dana]

Sorry - forgot to mention the camera. :-) It was taken w/a G3. Zoom was at about 20mm. No lenses or filters.

That's a great idea to hit it again w/a fuller moon. Igo back and forth on the moon sliver - some of the time I wish it was larger, the other half I like the fact that the sliver is small, but that the rest of the moon is just barely visible...

I'll have a go as the moon waxes - thanks for the suggestion. I'm also going to play w/my Canon 1.75x tele and see what kind of moon-shots I can get w/that. Next to get the adapters to hook up to my telescope...

:-)

Dana

[eland]

Tastes differ of course. I like the image as it is. A larger moon IMO would look artificial and manipulated. Your image already has the remote spooky effect that you are looking for. It's an excellent photograph. You should be very proud of it.

eland

[Leighow]

I agree with Eland on this one.

In fact tonite I was shooting at dusk (am about to process):
- It was not quite dark when I quit.
- The moon was about the same as size and shape as younhave here.
- But there were no clouds and no trees to add any mood.
- Geese were heading to water, but far below the moon (at about 8:30pm/
On close, there was not reason to shoot. I had no plan and nature offered no incentive
HOWIE

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow very nice!

For me,. contrary to popular folklore,. I have allways found the small crescent moon "spookier" than full. Less light,. more dark,. more spooky.

[Dana]

Thanks all, for taking the time to comment.

I agree w/the overall sentiment on the moon size. I wasn't going to go for a full moon - too bright, and not spooky. But I am interested to see how it would look w/closer to a 1/3 or 1/4 moon. I don't expect I'd get the cloud placement so easily again either - I had to wait for a while for it to "set up" and then got distracted by my son and almost missed getting what I wanted. :-)

By the way, I should say in case it isn't clear that I do like the picture quite a lot the way it is - it's now my Windows desktop background and it will figure prominently in our halloween this year in one way or another. :-)

I played a bit w/the image in PS and didn't find much to do to improve it, other than slightly deepening the blue sky.

Dana