Moonlight on the Water

Hello, Tim !!

Oh, I just couldn't resist it... I know you are asking for photomanipulator's critique... but the thumb of this photo just jumped into my pupils and when I opened it... only by reading your comment I knew it was manipulated ! Not to mention that I immediately clicked on the link to the original ... to realize the amazing worked you performed here.

This actually looks like a real night shot. The blue color achieved on the water is fantastic, and so is the sky. I fell in love with this seductive night at once... being this your first work I am sure your future in this area is bright !!!

While watching every single detail of the work, some things started to call my attention, and I hope they can help you the way you asked:

If I knew how, I would have possibly removed the small broken bridge on the water. But that is a personal preference of mine and I have no clue if that takes lots of hours of work. On the other hand, the bridge also adds interest to the composition, which might have turned too simplistic otherwise, or with less focus of attention.

But what I would really suggest to consider is the position of the moon and the light reflections. It is impossible that the moon, positioned where it is, reflects light the way it appears to be reflecting it on the manipulation. Look for instance at the tree to the right. The rising moon would be shining on the back side of the tree, so you would not see light from where I look at the tree. Having said this, you will start finding the same all over the photo. Even the mountains across the lake, and the trees at that shore show bright illumination. Not to mention the shore right next to the bottom.

Finally (and please, remember I really like what you did), the moon's halo is kind of weird. Maybe the gradient can be faded a bit more to reduce the watercolor effect ? I am just wondering here, since I do no Photoshop nor manipulations, so I really have no clue on how all this is done.

Tim, I am favoring this manipulation, because the difference between the original photo and what you created is so HUGE, and I am such a FAN of moonlit nights (well known by me... remember that I have no electricity on the hut so moonlight and me are old friends <img src="e.deviantart.com/emoticons/l/l…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title="Laughing" />) that I simply love it, with details and all. You achieved a very romantic composition and you should be proud of it. Thank you SO much for sharing it with us!!

<img src="e.deviantart.com/emoticons/g/g…" width="47" height="20" alt="" title="Glomp!" /><img src="e.deviantart.com/emoticons/h/h…" width="15" height="13" alt="" title="Heart" /><img src="e.deviantart.com/emoticons/c/c…" width="25" height="25" alt="" title="Clap" />