Waiting For Summer Mk 2

This ones for Harry, a more toned down version of the original. I used

Tone Compressor on this to get a more subtle natural kind of look but

found it rather bland, so then blended elements of another version using

details enhancer, hopefully achieving a good level of detail without being

too over the top. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome.

Thank You.

I prefer this one over the over-saturated version you first posted.  The HDR halo between the sky and background is less obvious in this version.  As well as the halos around the boat edges and water, less obvious.  The tone of the boats is much more pleasing.  I feel, for an HDR, that your sky lacks a little contrast.  It appears a little flat to me.  Nice job, keep it up. 

Very beautiful! Best regards, Ilkka

Hi Alf,

I also like this one much better than the other one.  The tones and colors are much more realistic, and the mood is more subtle.  Like the early evening calmness before the night.  The sky could be darkened a little to increase the mood but that's optional.  Regards - michel

Very neat shot...Beautiful details and colours.

Regards(Bobby).

The Mk2 version is much more into my taste in about everything. Now your fine composition really comes out in a very attractive way and the sombre vivid colors helps to create a very special mood into the image. Excellent post processing thaat brings oyt the details in that way I know you want it to be. Great presentation Alf. Take good care and all the best to you and your family from Jannica 

Hi Alf,this is really nice (not in your face as the other version) the boats lake and sky look very natural,i have been working with HDR for a year,i usually do both versions,detail enhancer and tone compressor and then decide what suits the image.Why your photos are not for rating?    Best regards,Harry

LACY

Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments, the sky I deliberately toned down to make it appear more natural in line with the rest of the image, but I can see where your coming from. The feedback is much appreciated!

Regards

Alf

ILKKA

Many thanks for your kind words and encouragement.

Kind Regards

Alf

MICHEL

Many thanks for your kind comments and also your thoughts and suggestions I really do appreciate the feedback.

Kind Regards

Alf

BOBBY

Thank you for your very kind comments, much appreciated!

Warm Regards

Alf

JANNICA

Many Thanks for your thoughts and words of encouragement, I really respect your opinions. I do have a confession though, I really like the first version, yes I know it's over saturated and looks like something a child might have coloured in with a crayon, but maybe it's the child in me that it appeals to. Not to everyones taste, I know, but hey! it wouldn't be any fun at all if we all liked exactly the same things. Thanks again Jannica.

All my best to you and your familly

Warm Regards

Alf

HARRY

Many thanks for getting back to me on this one, I agree it is more natural, but theres something about the "in your face" version : - ) that I really like, I know it's quite surreal, but thats what I think is appealing, to me at least, though I'm fairly sure I'm in a minority. As for the ratings, well ...after one of my friends decided to leave PN  due in most part to the "anon 3's" and the rating system in general, and another of my friends was on the point of doing the same, I decided to opt out of the rating system altogether, and submit for "critique only" In truth the most valuable aspect of PN for me is the great feedback and advice thats available from people like yourself, where as a rating is just a number, and a number can't really tell you anything especially when the numbers in question are subject to abuse, or at the very least misuse. Thanks again Harry your comments have proved most helpful.

Kind Regards

Alf

I like very much the contrasting color of the first boat in the scene. The dramatic sky and the rest of the image blend well together in this beautiful composition. Best regards, Alf

Very artistic and very well done:...I love it a lot!

LESTER

Many thanks for your visit and very kind comments, I really appreciate it.

Kind Regards

Alf

MAURIZIO

I am really pleased that you like it, thank you!

Kind Regards ]

Alf

Like the natural expression in this one.

Sidsel

this is better for me. Beautiful. Ciao! Elena

This is really well done - from the interesting composition to the great "look".

I agree this is well done and finely cooked at that.

SIDSEL

Many thanks for your kind comments and thoughts, I'm really pleased you liked it.

Regards

Alf

ELENA

Thank you, I appreciate you kind comments

Kind Regards

Alf

DALE

I appreciate your thoughts and imput, many thanks

Cheers mate

Alf

VICKI

I really appreciate your comments and imput Thank you

Regards

Alf

Excellent work on this version Alf! I prefer the more natural tones in this one. I really like your composition, the beautiful tones in the boats, and the striking yet subtle sky. Superb work my friend!

All the best,
Neil

You see this is why I enjoy glancing through your portfolio because I always find something new that I haven't seen before that I like. The contrast that you have created between the boats and the remainder of the environment is quite interesting.  The texture that the rocks create and the contrast with the smooth water is a nice complement. I enjoy looking at this.

Humble Apologies for my very late response , somehow I must have missed this one. Thank you for your kind comments.

Best Regards

Alf

JOE

As you may have guessed by the previous comments there were two versions of this, one was a very obvious HDR whilst this one, which was slightly more subtle. I think I may have removed the other version, which on reflection is a shame because it was a good comparison. I don't remove many images, they serve to remind me of all the mistakes I've made, as well as some of the progress I've made. I'm sure that I used a normal exposure as a layer for the sky as well. Many thanks for your thoughts and comments Joe, and its very gratifying to read that you find my portfolio interesting.

Best Regards

Alf

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf