Broken Reflections

[m13l13]

I like the shot - very nice. I always struggle with the actual focal point of these. great textures etc and always nice to play with in PS.

Here's what I did (just to give you ideas)...
Image - adjustments - auto levels
Then did the same with the curve (S-curve, drop the darks and highlight the lights)
Rotated the image 180 Deg
selected the tree with the lasso tool, then feather @ 50, then adhusted the colours and added a little red to the highlights in an attempt to create a focus point.


hope it gives some more ideas.

cheers

[Sid]

I think the above image is a bit too much, also I feel like theres no depth to the photo, Also the 180 thing is a good idea but for me it just looks weird. Check out my edit, I think its enough contrast added and some drama/depth added as well.

[Sandie]

Thank you all so much! I just have a quick minute to post. Strangely, just a few min. after I posted this, I had to call EMS and take my mom to the hospital (she is dying of brain cancer). I have been there with her and unable to get back online. You all took time to edit and comment and I greatly appreciate it. And when I am able, probably just a couple days, I will be back to study the advice and ideas. Thank you again!!!

[jiminyClickit]

Sandie,

We'll leave a light on for you. Soak up every minute there, you'll never be sorry. See you when you can return.

[Sandie]

My friend and fellow photographer, Ampersand, *amp'ed* the image for me. Here is what she did:
Auto levels
Auto contrast
Darken highlights (just slightly)
Boost midtone contrast (just slightly)
Boost saturation (moderately)

While I learned a lot from all the editting you all did and I like each version for a different reason, this 'retouch' is my favorite. Jiminy, I think you were right it is the photo's subtle qualities that I am really drawn to. This photo means a lot to me and if you want to read about it....click here.

Thank you all again for your comments and time. I learned a lot about post-processing by comparing what each of you did.

[jiminyClickit]

Sandie,

It's good to look at for a few minutes at a time, to get lost in, think about things the shapes begin to suggest, follow the thoughts randomly like the separated pieces of the trees or of a life. 'Subtle' lets you do that. "Quiet desperation" thoughts, universal.