[Pavel]

I never got a comment on this photo. Normally I would just let it go and assume that nobody likes it. However, I like pointilism in paintings and I was intriqued by the possibility of using it in photography. I thought the technique translates well into photography. I know that this is not exactly a breaktrough in photography, but I would have liked to have heard WHY people like it and or hate it.

Original message: I had fun with this one - in Lightroom,it looked nice and grainy, but when imported the image into CS3, the grain was subtle and I had to go in and use a grain filter. Critiques are very welcome, as allways. Pavel

[blowup]

Hi Pavel,

I like the Impressionistic effect here. I think that it could even be taken further (i.e. increase the grain) with benefits. Two changes that I would suggest trying: (1) increase the vividness of the colors (even though some might think that this would take away from the "dreamy" atmosphere); (2) consider cropping it. I think that the sailboats, alone, without the lighthouse, would look good. Also, the horizon is a tiny bit out-of-level.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[Pavel]

Thanks Gary. I like your comments. Vividness was pushed to the extreme, but I tend to agree that bigger grain would look good. Because I am constantly taken to task over leveled images, I paid great attention to the horizon and I beleive it to be level. Cropping Idea is interesting. I did not think of that. I may try it. Thanks for very useful comments. Pavel

[Zig]

Nice idea Pavel: I've a feeling that this approach would work very well with a more minimalist composition...straighten the horizon up(or else Matthew will have a fit), clone out the speedboat, the gull and the lighthouse...? Sorry, that sounds awfully harsh of me but I am very taken with the idea, as the lovely tones would benefit greatly from your approach.

[Pavel]

Thank you Zig for your comments. They are not harsh at all. Even if they were, you are welcome to have some fun at my expense. I like your comments. I am not sure about the lighthouse, although I agree about the gull and the speedboat. I am afraid that if I give in on the lighthouse, You would ask me to get rid of sailboats.... Thanks very much for commenting. Pavel

[NT73]

My horizon 'is it level' program.
Slide window down, until horizon hits the thingy bar at the bottom of the screen.


I'm not into grain.

[Pavel]

Thanks NT. Great software. I like the price. I tried it. There may in fact be a slight incline, as Gary says, although I am not certain, as the horizon is fuzy. I tried your software on the lighthouse, which is short of course, but it seems upright. Thanks for the advice. I like grain sometimes, especially when I produce it. I like it less in other people's photos. Thanks for the feedback. I hope Scotland is in the cards for you this weekend. Pavel

[NT73]

If you use this system for verticals then it has to be somewhere near the centre of the photo, because if you have any parallax then it wont work. The lighthouse leans ever so slightly in. (parallax or lens distortion or angle of view :/)

[Pavel]

Thanks NT. A good point. Pavel

[NT73]

I use things like this if I am in a hurry. Adobe PS takes a while to do most things (including load) on my PC so I only tend to use it if I really have to.
I dont change much on the ones I post, (maybe a little sharpening and straightening mainly)