crane flight sm

You're images seem completely out of step with the times and more suited to an earlier, less cynical era. This looks like it could go on the cover of a 1915 Sunset Magazine. Not all of your alteratiions are completely successful but every one is interesting in its own way and when you get it just right, the result is something special. Unfortunately, Photoshop artistry is looked down on by the "serious" practitioners on this site but it makes your work no less enjoyable, at least to me.

howdy jack

wow, thanks man for the series of very thoughtful remarks on my pics. it's true that i've pretty much dropped off the radar of the site-- you inspire me to want to get involved again. it is particularly useful that you are not afraid to criticize constructively along with your healthy dose of encouragement. 

you make an interesting assortment of points-- just one being about PS artists being looked down upon.  that seems to be the case though the evolution toward acceptance is inevitable. while the painters and the photographers have their territories staked out and they generally no longer trouble each other with meaningless comparisons-- somehow by falling right between them, we get caught in a crossfire. our pics are too contrived for the photographers, not contrived enough for the painters. 

as i use in a few of my bios though, photo manipulation has a rich history as i'm sure you know. i spoke about it a bit on this groovy website that asked me to describe some of my techniques and motivations:

http://www.photoartisttextures.com/inspiration/featured-artists/the-painted-photographs-of-r-christopher-vest/

out there somewhere a guy is carving da vinci's last supper into his toenail with a pocketknife. we crazy human beings have to create-- and we use all the tools at our disposal-- absolutism serves neither religion nor art. 

thanks again jack! cheers to you...