With some blur and color change in the bg (I used a separate color layer to do the darkening, used a low opacity brush of different sizes on the bright parts, Neural Filter/Lens Blur for the softening, also painted on with a 60% brush or so) -
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
These mushrooms were growing all over a bit of trail when I was out the other day and I was pretty captivated by them and this little trio especially. I think they’re a type of Honey Mushroom. Had to do some tripod contortions here - literally placing it in the branches of a small tree and holding a diffuser to even out the light. Worth it though, I think.
Specific Feedback
I’m open to processing suggestions with this one although I think I have it dialed in.
Technical Details
Tripod & in-camera focus bracketing
21 images total used
Lr for some global adjustments to improve contrast, color and clarity. Some sharpening & nr, but nothing major. Zerene for the stacking - DMap with PMax details where needed. Ps for some distraction removal and a bit of the Soft Pop action in the TK9 plug in. Lr again to bring down shadows & blacks a bit.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Beautiful job on the shrooms and foreground, Kris. Looks like someone’s been sampling one of them. Some of the brighter out of focus blobs above the log tend to pull my eye. I think just bringing the brighter ones down a bit would take care of that minor nit. The textures in the mushrooms are just awesome.
Perfect perspective here, and interesting subject. Love the little nip out of the right shroom. Excellent detail and saturation level. That’sa great BG, so I’d suggest a bit more canvas on top, and a bit less below - or maybe just a slightly larger crop.
Ahhhh – mushroom season again? (Or does it ever end up there in the north woods?) These are wonderful – captivating shapes in a lovely setting with wonderful lighting and detail! Stacking looks perfect. For me, though, the OOF BG pulls my eye. But I do love the colors. The log looks easy to select with probably some touchup of the mask in quick mask mode. Field Blur would then work but it always looks artificial to me. I love the different and more natural look I can get with some ~50% opacity cloning.
This is really nice Kris. I love the colors and textures in the mushrooms and the log and the mosses. Just a touch of darkening for the upper BG is all that might help.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank, @Diane_Miller, @SandyR-B & @Ed_Williams - mushrooms got an early start this year because of the rain in June, but that also meant mosquitos so I didn’t start shooting them until later. Probably missed opportunities, but I stayed itch-free so it’s all good. Also good is the advice to tone down the bg which was lit up with shifting sunlight while the bracketing went through the paces. New photo in the OP with a very short explanation of what tools I used in Photoshop. Better?
I had to have a go at this – did a slightly sloppy selection of the BG and clone-painted with a 50% brush – my favorite “blur-on-steroids” method. Maybe it’s just me but I love the painterly look it can give. Also threw in a gradient darkening at the bottom but I think I prefer the original better in that area.
Much better, Kris. The only thing left that bothers me is the one light green patch on the left edge which for some reason grabs my eye and won’t let go. I like @ Diane’s as well, but she lost some of the colors in her process that I liked to see there as they gave a better feel for the forest floor.
Really like the textures you were able to get with the mushrooms, the log and even the grass. I have to agree with @Diane_Miller’s toning down the BG. The tones now are much more in line with the subjects. I do like the little story between the three shrooms, so, maybe the grass being sharp is a little much. Maybe a slight blur to keep the eye from getting stuck looking at it much. And 21 images, Wow, I seem to push my luck when I go to 3. Well seen and executed.
