Before and After - The Weekly Editing Challenge

I honestly think it takes this challenge to new heights, since there was no limitation put on the level of editing allowed, nor was any editing program prohibited. I would even argue that your edit looks more realistic/possible than my almost HDR Lightroom edit. Hell you get my vote.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17700742
So is this taking the edit too far?

Hosted photo: posted by TeamSpeed in
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forum: Competitions

No! The original image was a better background than a composition. Good choice on getting rid of the sun and not having it compete with the stand-up paddle boater. But what's the paddler doing? Blown up, it looks like he's getting ready to shove an avocado down the mouth of a platypus.

Just joking, I wouldn't make fun except that the rest of the composition is so well done. Don't hate me!

itsallart wrote in post #17700744
heck, no! I think you took it to a new level!

Big Frost wrote in post #17701014
I honestly think it takes this challenge to new heights, since there was no limitation put on the level of editing allowed, nor was any editing program prohibited. I would even argue that your edit looks more realistic/possible than my almost HDR Lightroom edit. Hell you get my vote.

cacawcacaw wrote in post #17701436
No! The original image was a better background than a composition. Good choice on getting rid of the sun and not having it compete with the stand-up paddle boater. But what's the paddler doing? Blown up, it looks like he's getting ready to shove an avocado down the mouth of a platypus.

Just joking, I wouldn't make fun except that the rest of the composition is so well done. Don't hate me!

Everybody, take another Valium! Don't get too excited; Benitoite is the ultimate judge!

cacawcacaw wrote in post #17701436
No! The original image was a better background than a composition. Good choice on getting rid of the sun and not having it compete with the stand-up paddle boater. But what's the paddler doing? Blown up, it looks like he's getting ready to shove an avocado down the mouth of a platypus.

Just joking, I wouldn't make fun except that the rest of the composition is so well done. Don't hate me!

It was a rushed attempt, we had to leave so I rushed the masking out of the boat and missed some parts. Or perhaps he is marooned and eating what little he has left before succombing to the elements.

I did a more relaxed edit while teaching my 12 year old how I did some of the basic Photoshop techniques. I see no avocado now.

I remember I posted a cow picture in the old thread and one of the entries had a cowboy silhouette edited in.

We used to do some funny stuff in the old thread....

itsallart wrote in post #17701447
Everybody, take another Valium! ...

Actually, non-recreational Norco in my case.

I've been reluctant to do much except for straight processing on this thread, but my preference would be to make it anything goes. That sunset background was just crying out for some sort of dramatic silhouette. What would you all say to the idea of allowing all kinds of artistic processing? I'd understand if some felt that we ought to just stick to basic processing, and that would be fine too.

As far as I know there has never been any restrictions on types of processing in this thread. However there is another thread with a very similar name where only the use of a RAW converter is allowed. On this thread be as creative as you wish.

Here's my shot at it. Brought up shadows, reduced noise, and tweaked the colors and contrast.

I'm open to the spectrum of ideas from simple RAW convos to photo illustrations. Anything that keeps things artistically challenging and competitive as well as good educational practicum.

We'll wrap up the entries in just a couple of hours and announce a new winner!

I decided to go a little pastel

Here are my subjective comments about the entries, and the judgement results. Thanks to everyone who accepted the sunset challenge!

bumpintheroad wrote in post #17707908
I decided to go a little pastel

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forum: Competitions

Steps (though I wound up adding vibrance back later)

Hosted photo: posted by bumpintheroad in
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forum: Competitions

Then I ran it through Nik Define for further NR.

That was unexpected. Colors are nice and cool compared with the others. The sky ends up kind of green.

rrblint wrote in post #17702876
Here's my shot at it. Brought up shadows, reduced noise, and tweaked the colors and contrast.

Hosted photo: posted by rrblint in
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forum: Competitions

Nice and contrasty in the sky and clean edges on the hills.

cacawcacaw wrote in post #17699073
Once again, cropping heavily to find a proportionate composition. Sunsets by themselves are hard; anxious to see what other come up with.

Nicely cropped and framed such that it looks like a long canvas. I lost the hillsides in the shade.

Triplexbee wrote in post #17699511
Here's my effort this week. All Lightroom jiggery pokery.

I lost the hillsides in the shade, also. The warmth is exceptionally clean.

itsallart wrote in post #17699785
Here is my version. I applied some selective color adjustments, cropped and really wanted to highlight the reds at the bottom of the clouds the mid-tones with their lovely golden and magenta hues. Enhanced the foreground to add extra depth. High pass filter to finish it off..

Nice focus on hue balance, contrasty and vivid. An autumn palette.

Big Frost wrote in post #17700091
Here is my version...

Hosted photo: posted by Big Frost in
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forum: Competitions

Hosted photo: posted by Big Frost in
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forum: Competitions

I see a nice range of colors with your result. It is a feast of nature and a joy to capture its spectrum. It's not perfect in the hillside area, but I dig the progression in the sky more than I dislike the halo on the hillside.

tytlyf wrote in post #17700684
Cropped to portrait

Hosted photo: posted by tytlyf in
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forum: Competitions

My original attempt at the image was also portrait. It's a nice image that reminds me of front covers of binders and motivational posters.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17700742
So is this taking the edit too far?

I miss seeing the Avocado and Platypus, it is a beautiful scene. The horizon appears bunchy to me, and I'm not sure if I miss the piece of solar disc. I'm a fan of the creative product.

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This week's winner is Big Frost.
Congrats to Big Frost: you get to post the next round!

Congratulations Big frost.

Benitoite wrote in post #17708054
This week's winner is Big Frost.
Congrats to Big Frost: you get to post the next round!

Thank you! I will get my image posted early this evening!