The Dark Night Of The Soul

[JBW]

[Rebel]

I like it Brian! Maybe a little less on the vignette though?

[Brownbear]

I like it, too, especially for the surprise of the butterfly. If it were mine I'd darken shadows the bits in the top corner because they don't add anything special to the image (for me)

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice one!

[JBW]

I like it Brian! Maybe a little less on the vignette though?

but then it would be the not quite dark night...

[JBW]

I like it, too, especially for the surprise of the butterfly. If it were mine I'd darken shadows the bits in the top corner because they don't add anything special to the image (for me)

if you mean the top left that could work. Top right is actually a stone path and one does need a way out of the darkness?

[JBW]

Nice one!

thanks, every now and again a little crazy works for me.

[csa mt]

Thumbs up on this one, really beautiful!

[bnnrcn]

Nice work

[Wavelength]

This is really creative, Brian

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

I meant the top right as I didn't recognize this as a stone path. I downloaded your image and darkened the top right and liked it that way because of the simplicity with all the attention on the butterfly and leaves.

It's your image and the idea of the pathway out of the darkness is lovely. I tried lightening the stone path but that didn't work for me as the image couldn't take the processing, artifacts seen and it still didn't look like a stone pathway to my eyes. Perhaps the way you have presented it is the best, ie; as is.

if you mean the top left that could work. Top right is actually a stone path and one does need a way out of the darkness?

[Geoff F]

I think I would consider bringing the centre of the bright area slightly to the left. Or add a little bit of darkness to the right hand leaf.

An interesting, almost sinister, composition.

[JBW]

I think I would consider bringing the centre of the bright area slightly to the left. Or add a little bit of darkness to the right hand leaf.

An interesting, almost sinister, composition.

I did try to bring the light area to the left but lacked the pp skills. I could darken the right a tad but without the high contrast I was afraid of losing some of the sinister.

[JBW]

This is really creative, Brian

this one was a two layers forward one layer back type of work.

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

I meant the top right as I didn't recognize this as a stone path. I downloaded your image and darkened the top right and liked it that way because of the simplicity with all the attention on the butterfly and leaves.

It's your image and the idea of the pathway out of the darkness is lovely. I tried lightening the stone path but that didn't work for me as the image couldn't take the processing, artifacts seen and it still didn't look like a stone pathway to my eyes. Perhaps the way you have presented it is the best, ie; as is.

Here is the original. I did a some filter work on the top right area to give it a slight painted look. Could be why it didn't take to darkening?

[Brownbear]

Wow, that's a gorgeous butterfly beautifully photographed!

Your post processing skills/artistry are beyond mine, so sorry I can't be of any help. Lovely stone pathway.

[JBW]

Wow, that's a gorgeous butterfly beautifully photographed!

Your post processing skills/artistry are beyond mine, so sorry I can't be of any help. Lovely stone pathway.

One of the advantages of being retired in the Philippines is that we can afford a part time gardener who is very talented. We are hoping one day that the stone pathway will connect to a sunken garden with a not too tall waterfall. Then there will be lots and lots of dragonflies to shoot!

My skill set is what it is because of people like you who have poked and prodded me to work on them.