virginia and wva Near The End

Any comments?

Al, you have fallen into a common trap here. The leaves are so beautiful that it is intuitive to want to show every last one of them. But in doing that, the mind shifts from the story to the leaves, and the story is neglected.

 

You have the potential in this image to select the key. Keeping in mind the story, or the following the path, we must be led there. So the path must be illuminated for us, and everything else becomes shadow detail -- albeit interesting detail, but shadow detail nonetheless.

 

I used the Elliptical Marquee Selection tool feathered at 60 pixels and drew a couple of intersecting ovals, vertically at the end of the path and horizontally along the path itself. I then selected the inverse, and used the Brightness/Contrast control to darken outside the ovals.

 

If you don't find my suggestions helpful, just email me and I will be glad to delete them for you.

Al... I believe Steve's comments have merit and his version adds a mystery to the path. However, I was attracted to the original version enough to stop and open it for a larger view, so it has excellent appeal itself. A good shot and a real painterly approach... Mike

 

I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Thanks for taking the time.

 

Al

Hey, Al, I like this image as is and toned up a bit. I think the gist of it is to give a sense of nature blending together and forming a path into itself. Your work did that beautifully. I get an emotional tug of loneliness from the scene. Anytime I feel some kind of emotion from an image - good or bad - I consider it a great work.

I like the curve of the road and the beautiful fall colors. I suppose I like Steve's version a bit better. Thanks for sharing.

 

Daniel

A sense of nature as said above. My overall feeling is a sense of impressionism. The nature aspect appeals to me particually. I would like to be able to find such places in Israel.

Again thanks to everyone for taking the time to stop and comment. Al

I find this a beautiful work of you and nature. Autumn is a free painting given to us. Thank you for sharing. Take care

Very nice, good work!

Very well done, Al. Bw, Volker.