Winter shovel

[mrodgers]

I don't get out much in the winter. But the kids were playing outside yesterday and I saw my old shovel leaning up against the tree. I thought, "hmmmm....." I couldn't seem to get a decent DOF with my limited f/3.5 max, so I downloaded Photoshop demo, pulled up some masking/sharpening tutorials on the net and played around. I masked and sharpened the tree while giving the background a gaussian blur. It's my first time messing around with anything other than moving sliders and first time doing layers with photos. Messed around a little bit in the tone curves as well.

Just wanted to see if this photo "works" for anyone else.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22264910@N06/2227716200/" title="2008.01.28 Shovel DSCF1628 by mrodg88, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2227716200_bc858e0e41.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008.01.28 Shovel DSCF1628" /></a>

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S5700 S700
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 14.3 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/100 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

One thing I learned, I don't think I like the layout of Photoshop over Paintshop Pro. Though, I've been using Paintshop Pro for a couple of years with graphic stuff for gaming, so I am use to how it is laid out.

[rodob]

I am no expert but I think you overdid the editing just a little bit and made it look unnatural.
I like the composition.

[summerbreezing]

I think you found a great subject with the shovel and tree. In my vey inexperienced opinion, I would have gone in closer to make them my focus and lost most of the background and effects. The subject is strong enough on its own.

[mrodgers]

I am no expert but I think you overdid it just a little bit making it look unnatural.
I like the composition.
For sure, now that it is the next day, I think you are right. I was trying to achieve something in editing that I couldn't seem to get with the shot itself and it just didn't work out. I saw something when I looked over at it when outside, but it was just no longer there when I pulled it up on the screen after the PC transfer.

I think you found a great subject with the shovel and tree. In my vey inexperienced opinion, I would have gone in closer to make them my focus and lost most of the background and effects. The subject is strong enough on its own.
There won't be any snow left when I get home, and it may be pooring down rain, but I'm going to try to get out there and take another shot closer in and maybe flipped around in portrait orientation. I could do it with a crop, but would probably be better with another shot entirely grabbing more detail in the tree and the shovel. I can see the color doesn't do it justice either now. I'll have to do something with some desaturation as well.......

Thx for the comments.