My PP project for 2014

[Kris V]

Going the artistic route.....
I decided to go way out of my comfort zone, and dig out my creative side (I'm not sure if I have one). (Yea, Sharon/Daisy Mae got me going on this project)
I'm setting myself a goal for one picture a month, and hope for some feedback from artistically inclined members.
I posted a first "abstract" in January here.
This one is for February.

[Shadowman]

Which artistic tool did you use and do you propose this to be abstract also, no title?

[Black Pearl]

That really hurts my eyes and to be honest just looks like massive camera shake due to over exposure.

[Kris V]

Thanks for the honest feedback. Guess I got a lot to learn.....

[Kris V]

Which artistic tool did you use and do you propose this to be abstract also, no title?

No title, probably a throw-away, and I'm still twiddling with it.

[Shadowman]

No title, probably a throw-away, and I'm still twiddling with it.

Any chance of seeing the original?

[Kris V]

Any chance of seeing the original?

Cropped and adjusted a little in ACR

[Shadowman]

Cropped and adjusted a little in ACR

Kris,

I would have never guessed that was a dog, I could make out the foliage but thought there were two people in the foreground. Not sure if you wanted us to recognize the subject or treat it as an abstract but its worth doing additional variations.

[Kris V]

Kris,

I would have never guessed that was a dog, I could make out the foliage but thought there were two people in the foreground. Not sure if you wanted us to recognize the subject or treat it as an abstract but its worth doing additional variations.

Back to the drawing board. I like the overall feel of he photo.
The dog is a regular visitor to our home, and was walking back home, (after he got his snack)
As a photo, it's just a snapshot, but I hope to eventually end up wih something a little more artistic.
I guess the motion blur is just way to much. I never know when to stop when I start something crazy....

[MrB]

I like your original photo and, if it were mine, I would want to make stronger adjustments and/or a mono conversion, though I do realise that you are aiming for much greater abstraction.



Philip

[Kris V]

I like your original photo and, if it were mine, I would want to make stronger adjustments and/or a mono conversion, though I do realise that you are aiming for much greater abstraction.



Philip

I took this shot with just my project in mind.
Just realize, I set a goal for myself to convert some of my pictures into something "artistic", but since it's a new concept for me, I try out a lot of crazy things, but sometimes I just hit on something that at first glance looks pretty cool - and then I keep going until I ruin it.....
But I do like your edit, very much. Thank you for taking the time.

[IzzieK]

Kris...I like the normal photo without the movement...OR I guess I am not a fan of such "artistic" endeavours...Honestly, it is too confusing to my eyes. Snapshot or not, I like that original one better. It needs a bit of contrast, but very well composed. Maybe you can just use your artistry for some throw-away shots...

[Kaye Leggett]

I like your version - I think it needs little more boldness/definition as the tones are too muted I think. Good fun doing new projects though isn't it - keep at it.

[picsfrommt]

A dog? As Kris said, I would have never guessed.

Anyway, I think it has some promise, but needs some work. I wonder if you could get a picture of a man and woman, PP them similar to what you did with the dog, but a lesser amount and paste them over the dog? Just a thought.

[Kris V]

I wonder if you could get a picture of a man and woman, PP them similar to what you did with the dog, but a lesser amount and paste them over the dog? Just a thought.

The February project is history for now, and I'm going to some of my older pictures to see what I can use for this month.
What did I get myself into???
OK, it's fun to try and see what comes up.

[Brev00]

First of all, I think the mono version is very good. My advice to you, Kris, is sometimes it is good to 'treat' an image first before applying an artistic filter or action. In other words, in raw add blacks or in post go strong with micro contrast. Or some other treatment. Then, apply the filter. In this image, the foliage is pale and thin to begin with and the dog is kind of similar in tone and clarity. Since you are going artistic, you can alter all that, too, and change some of the dynamics. The dog could be made darker so it stands out more. Don't let the changes just happen--make them happen. If I don't like the way things are going, I will back up to an earlier point and try some different moves. Sometimes, just letting it sit for a day or two can help. I can kind of forget about my original idea and be open to something else. It will be interesting to see what you do in March.

[Downrigger]

I'm rootin' for you, Kris. Understanding you're done with this, my critique is that the tonality and brightness is homogenous throughout the image, and your PP lost the depth and overall form available in both the original color and nice monochrome versions. Had you been able to preserve/reconstruct/add some of that, I believe your might would have been stronger, but that's just my guess.

[FootLoose]

Kris, I just wanted to say that I really like the original. A lone dog plodding along a bush track is a typical Australian scene.

Stick with your project, every bit of experience counts.

[Kris V]

I'm rootin' for you, Kris. Understanding you're done with this, my critique is that the tonality and brightness is homogenous throughout the image, and your PP lost the depth and overall form available in both the original color and nice monochrome versions. Had you been able to preserve/reconstruct/add some of that, I believe your might would have been stronger, but that's just my guess.

Well, I'm not totally abandoning this, but for the time being I'm trying to focus on the best way to ruin the next picture.
I optimistically bought 12 identical picture frames - so I can print them and hang them on the wall in my home office come December

[Kris V]

Kris, A lone dog plodding along a bush track is a typical Australian scene.

Thanks Greg!
Guess the same goes in Texas - on country roads.