― Artistic Expression Critique ⇒ 'Monhegan Lighthouse' (day to night composite)

[davechinn]

With a variety of images of this lighthouse, I was not able to capture a night image to my satisfaction. Here is my attempt at making my own night image from a day image. I added a sky with stars, a light ray taken the same lighthouse but from a different location and evening. Yes, it's dark out, but is the image too dark for what it's suppose to represent? What are your thoughts? Suggestions are up for grabs !!!

[PietFrancke]

love the texture of the stonework and the glass and the mystery of the dark shrubs. In the area that the light is brightening the atmosphere perhaps dull the stars a little. Perhaps stretch a shadow downward on the lighthouse from the stone rim, if it is being lit from the inside. Perhaps even darken it a little more if the lighting is coming from the atmosphere that is lit. But know This - It is Awesome! I love the cool blue of the lit glass and mist. Love the warm stone - it feels like a place of refuge in the cold emptiness. Love that sky behind it.

[Psjunkie]

Piet makes good points....for me it is a touch dark but might be my monitor brightness settings...I keep my brightness at one click to the right of 1/2..when I turn the brightness all the way up I can see the image fine so take that for what it's worth..a very nice composite Dave

[minniev]

With a variety of images of this lighthouse, I was not able to capture a night image to my satisfaction. Here is my attempt at making my own night image from a day image. I added a sky with stars, a light ray taken the same lighthouse but from a different location and evening. Yes, it's dark out, but is the image too dark for what it's suppose to represent? What are your thoughts? Suggestions are up for grabs !!!

Love it Dave. You captured that "lighthouse magic" that is so addicting.

As you know, I had the same disappointment. You did better than I. Your creation gives me some ideas to attempt something of my own.

I do think a bit of delicate dodging in some of the detail below the light (those bushes, perhaps the path) might "ground" it more. Of course all our monitors are different so it may just be me seeing it as a bit dark in that area. Piet's idea about shadows is a good one that I would not have thought of.

[davechinn]

love the texture of the stonework and the glass and the mystery of the dark shrubs. In the area that the light is brightening the atmosphere perhaps dull the stars a little. Perhaps stretch a shadow downward on the lighthouse from the stone rim, if it is being lit from the inside. Perhaps even darken it a little more if the lighting is coming from the atmosphere that is lit. But know This - It is Awesome! I love the cool blue of the lit glass and mist. Love the warm stone - it feels like a place of refuge in the cold emptiness. Love that sky behind it.

Thanks Piet !!! Your suggestions are accurate and I will consider the needed corrections. I thought about adding a shadow downward from the stone rim and will definitely do so. Darker? That's one suggestion I have never received !!! Directional lighting have always been a struggle and once I feel I have improved some, I come across one image composite that sort of smacks me in the face, only to let me know otherwise.

[davechinn]

Piet makes good points....for me it is a touch dark but might be my monitor brightness settings...I keep my brightness at one click to the right of 1/2..when I turn the brightness all the way up I can see the image fine so take that for what it's worth..a very nice composite Dave

Understandable Frank !!! I suffer from that setting as well. Altho, I tend to think my settings are between the ears rather than the monitor. Thanks for the reminder and comments.

[davechinn]

With a variety of images of this lighthouse, I was not able to capture a night image to my satisfaction. Here is my attempt at making my own night image from a day image. I added a sky with stars, a light ray taken the same lighthouse but from a different location and evening. Yes, it's dark out, but is the image too dark for what it's suppose to represent? What are your thoughts? Suggestions are up for grabs !!!

Love it Dave. You captured that "lighthouse magic" that is so addicting.

As you know, I had the same disappointment. You did better than I. Your creation gives me some ideas to attempt something of my own.

I do think a bit of delicate dodging in some of the detail below the light (those bushes, perhaps the path) might "ground" it more. Of course all our monitors are different so it may just be me seeing it as a bit dark in that area. Piet's idea about shadows is a good one that I would not have thought of.

Thanks Minnie !!! I wasn't sure about the amount of light rays to add, also the spread was a challenge and needs more work IMO. I was unsure about going too far with lighting the pathway, but now I think more is needed. It can be difficult to determine the proper balance to achieve a realistic scene, but I will continue to work on this one for improvements. Thanks again !!!