― Artistic Expression Critique ⇒ Hawk on a cupola with a big moon added

[LindaShorey]

edit - I decided to include the quail on fence with distance views of a fake moonrise/set. My question about this one: is there any interest with the relatively flat landscape and small birds on not-so-attractive fencing?

I've been having a lot of fun combining a moon shot I took two months ago (the separate moon shot is below, for reference) with other photos. This real shot of hawk on cupola (with Christmas lights in October!) was with my bridge camera in 2016 - same photo op as the one that includes the heron.

For those experimenting with textures, I put the moon shot in a second layer and used the hard light blend mode, then stretched and fussed and edited further. And I remembered Duck's suggestion that if you're gonna go, go BIG

Impressions, suggestions? Many thanks for your time.

[minniev]

edit - I decided to include the quail on fence with distance views of a fake moonrise/set. My question about this one: is there any interest with the relatively flat landscape and small birds on not-so-attractive fencing?

I've been having a lot of fun combining a moon shot I took two months ago (the separate moon shot is below, for reference) with other photos. This real shot of hawk on cupola (with Christmas lights in October!) was with my bridge camera in 2016 - same photo op as the one that includes the heron.

For those experimenting with textures, I put the moon shot in a second layer and used the hard light blend mode, then stretched and fussed and edited further. And I remembered Duck's suggestion that if you're gonna go, go BIG

Impressions, suggestions? Many thanks for your time.

Yes and yes, small birds and unattractive fencing are fine. I don't find the fencing that unattractive though, it is not as romantic as a tumble down rotten wooden fence, but what it lacks in romance it makes up for in geometry, nice balanced rectangles and curves and lines. I might be tempted to remove that one half-post that's vertical behind the right panel of the gate. Since I'm not a purple person, I'd probably tone down the purples but I realize that is just my bias, so if ya love it, keep that purple!

The hawk on the cupola is wonderful, though I want to see the Christmas lights lit up a little. I agree with the big soft moon effect, but haven't taken my own moon and starling shot in hand to try it myself yet. But I agree it looks best with less detail and more size. Thanks for the blending tip.

[LindaShorey]

Yes and yes, small birds and unattractive fencing are fine. I don't find the fencing that unattractive though, it is not as romantic as a tumble down rotten wooden fence, but what it lacks in romance it makes up for in geometry, nice balanced rectangles and curves and lines. I might be tempted to remove that one half-post that's vertical behind the right panel of the gate. Since I'm not a purple person, I'd probably tone down the purples but I realize that is just my bias, so if ya love it, keep that purple!

The hawk on the cupola is wonderful, though I want to see the Christmas lights lit up a little. I agree with the big soft moon effect, but haven't taken my own moon and starling shot in hand to try it myself yet. But I agree it looks best with less detail and more size. Thanks for the blending tip.

Thanks so much for your richly detailed (as always) feedback, Minnie. I'm glad you mentioned the lights because I had brightened them a bit, but obviously not nearly enough - and then forgot about them. Greatly appreciate your time and feedback.

[PietFrancke]

love that hawk and moon - they work together beautifully - it is awesome.

[Psjunkie]

Your pp skills and imagination just keep getting better and better Linda....

[LindaShorey]

Piet and Frank, thanks so much for the encouragement!

[Charles Haacker]

I just like them, period.

[Matt Quinn]

edit - I decided to include the quail on fence with distance views of a fake moonrise/set. My question about this one: is there any interest with the relatively flat landscape and small birds on not-so-attractive fencing?

I've been having a lot of fun combining a moon shot I took two months ago (the separate moon shot is below, for reference) with other photos. This real shot of hawk on cupola (with Christmas lights in October!) was with my bridge camera in 2016 - same photo op as the one that includes the heron.

For those experimenting with textures, I put the moon shot in a second layer and used the hard light blend mode, then stretched and fussed and edited further. And I remembered Duck's suggestion that if you're gonna go, go BIG

Impressions, suggestions? Many thanks for your time.

Linda,

I really like #1; rippling hills in the early evening, soft mist rising to veil the visiting moon, quail anxious and alert. A wonderful peaceful scene. Lovely work. Matt

[LindaShorey]

I just like them, period.

Thanks so much, Chuck!

[LindaShorey]

Linda,

I really like #1; rippling hills in the early evening, soft mist rising to veil the visiting moon, quail anxious and alert. A wonderful peaceful scene. Lovely work. Matt

Very poetic, beautifully written Matt. Pleased you enjoyed!