For the first photo- Interesting effect. I think you would like this better if you tried using a selection to constrain the render clouds filter to the sky. Also note that when entering challenges this type of effect is rarely allowable (and you probably wouldn't want to anyway).
As per the second, you're right, that shadow looks great! Don't take it harshly, (look at my profile if you want to see the terrible scores I usually get :) ), but this would probably suffer in a challenge because of the heavily processed look... It's really a bit too hard (sharp) overall, and there seems to be a bunch of horizontal lines that appear in the dress.
Great start, welcome to DPC, and remember, not everyone will like anything, so go with what you like, and take the advice as such, it's only an opinion..
Thanks for the comments. Yeah I am still learning the processing. I just have to learn and find my own style and I do tend to like the processed look more but I also want to learn how to simply enhances and bring out features in a photo without really changing it too much. But I am here to learn and grow, and too make me be more intentional with getting out and getting some good shots.
my favorite way to add a tasteful "processed" look is to create a new layer (shift+command+n) change the mode to soft light and check the fill with 50% gray box. then use a brush @20% opacity on either white or black to paint highlights or shadows and then add a pretty large radius "box blur" to blend it all in. i would show you a recent example but its my FS entry. its not an automatic fix like topaz but u can create some really creativ shots with custom vignetees and accented highlights/shadows.
I like both of the images you posted. As noted above, the clouds are really over processed, but I like the feel of the image. I like heavily processed photos myself, especially using Topaz, but these generally do not score well at DPC... i.e.
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I very much dislike the first one, sorry. It is just too over the top.
The second one is a different story. That shadow is great, the composition works for me, I like the colour, and I don't even mind the stripey overlay looking part.
Somehow I like how all those elements work together.
Thank you all for the replies. I am here to learn :) I do have a tendency to overprocess my images and I am working on not doing that to all of my shots. I personally like some of the over the top processed shots but I need to not do it with every shot. I need to learn to look for and know what I want the final product to look like when composing the shot instead of just playing with the same effects over and over. Looking forward to increasing my knowledge and skills with everyone here. There are definetely some amazing artists here.
And yes I know the clouds are really over the top, the shot was originally a sunset photo and the sky was really blown out and especially after processing, so I rendered clouds and I noticed when I brought the clouds down too far it almost gave it a smokey, foggy feel so I went with it.
id love to see the shot without the clouds rendered b/c i think that the texture in the ground is enough for the whole shot and the rendered clouds make it too busy
id love to see the shot without the clouds rendered b/c i think that the texture in the ground is enough for the whole shot and the rendered clouds make it too busy
I will try and upload the original and one without the clouds later. At work now :(
id love to see the shot without the clouds rendered b/c i think that the texture in the ground is enough for the whole shot and the rendered clouds make it too busy
I redid it without the clouds and a different crop.
Thanks :) I look forward to enhances my photog skills through this site. Finally broke a 5 in a challenge so I am happy about that, not sure if it will stay above there but I'm still happy.
