Thanks for the ideas on how to improve this image. I'm planning to redo the post processing on this photograph. I'll publish the new version in my portfolio soon. It's great getting all this feedback.
In addition to what graphicfunk said, I believe that this photo is a great candidate for soft focus also. The lighting here and the darker overall theme would lend itself well to that... Make a duplicate layer of the original image... add a hefty amount of gaussian blur, and then change the opacity of that layer until you are satisfied with the look/feel of the effect... This would completely eliminate the sharpening artifacts... The image may not need any sharpening at all. I would try the soft focus before you sharpen to see what looks good :)
This image should have taken first place because of its strong visual impact and subtle tones. When I first looked at it I accepted it as the winner. It lost this glory by a small percentage, much like those nose to nose horse races. I will tell you what is good about this image and what is bad and how to fix it for a dpc print or simply a good print.
The strenght of this composition is more on the shades of the colors. The green ceramic bowl and the brown egg tones are just too lovely and soothing to look at. I have come back to it over and over again to reach the depth of satisfaction that one seeks from a masterpiece. I still come back and each time I simply stare at it in admiration.
What is wrong: the only minor imperfection is the overshapenning...but outside of the halos, I would let it stand. To correct this will require a little well spent time. Here is the way I would do it. Make a copy and set your clone to about 40 percent opacity. Go to all halos with a small brush, 10 pixels or so and clone from the adjascent area so as to reduce the halo in those areas. Do not do multiple dabs in same area. Work at actual pixel size. This will retain the grit texture of the eggs.
My first ribbon! Thanks for all the comments and high scores. I did over sharpen a little while trying to bring out the egg shell texture. Maybe I'll go back and redo the post processing on this one. I was asked to validate this picture during the challenge. I guess because the egg is balanced on the edge of the bowl. I actually drained that egg so it's just an empty shell and was very light. There is a hole about the size if a dime on the back side. I then used a small piece of adhesive putty to keep the egg in place. Nothing fancy but it worked well. I'm happy with this shot and am glad it was well received.
oversharpened I think. I like the idea and the lighting... you have something going here but the extra sharpness makes this photo look fake, validated or not
Wonderful capture. Your use of lighting and shadows really make the shot elegant and give it a nice feel. The color tones and shapes are very pleasing as well. The border is subtle and tastefully done..... I give an 8
Could have done equally well in the Freedom challenge. Gereat lighting, fine use of subtle colors and an eggcentric but well balanced composition. not wild about the border, but that is a personal taste issue. Should be near ribbon land.
Great work really well done, my guess is that its not a full egg sitting up like that but I could be wrong. That is why this is so good a shot it asks plenty of questions and gets the viewer to really examine it.
Lovely lilghting and composition on this one. Very well done. I have an idea how you got that very nice balance, but will check back at the end of the competition in hopes you will tell all... Easily a 9
This is a very nice image well composed and well shot. I am bothered by the jagged artifacts along the top edges of the eggs and in some of the reflected highlights on the bowl. It could be perfectly natural, but the shadow on the vertical egg looks out of synch with the shadows on the other eggs. Otherwise a 10.
Photo definitely meets the challenge! I'm curious as to how you balanced the egg. The lighting seems a tad harsh here and the picture looks to have been oversharpened a bit.
Good idea or the challenge, great lighting and I think the colours in the bowl are ideal and a good match for the eggs. The image does seem a little oversharpened though?
egg-scape
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