Ripples and Lichen and Repost

Image Critiques Abstract Nature Critiques
1

Repost: In the reds: Shifted color balance toward green, lowered saturation and increased luminosity. Overall slight increase in warmth. For me, this reduced the illusion of looking through water so it ends up with a whole different feel.

160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2-2
160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2-22048×1350 1.64 MB

Original:

160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2.jpg
160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2.jpg2048×1350 1.61 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I believe I posted the lichen on a rock earlier this year, but I was just fooling around yesterday and wondered how it would work to combine a black and white image of water ripples with another image using blending modes. This one caught my eye as a candidate and I liked the effect.

Specific Feedback

Should the shadows be brought up more? Any other suggestions.

Technical Details

Ripples were from 2016 with a Canon 7Dii and Sigma 150-600 contemporary. Lichen was with a Sony A7Riv and 70-200 f/4. The Sony image was downsized in PS to match the Canon size.
I did discover that it seems to work better if the black and white ripples are on the bottom layer. In this case, I went with the hard-light blending mode and then brought up the shadows with a curves layer.

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2

This is VERY cool! Great idea! I immediately thought “underwater” when I opened it. I love mosses and lichens, and the colour pallette here is very appealing.
Seems a bit noisy, but that adds to the drama, I think. still, a round of NR might be worthwhile to try.
Love this!

3

Lovely! I see lichens meeting silk. It doesn’t look noisy to me - I can see all the minute textures (which are very cool). The reddish background feels off to me; aesthetically, I want it to be more yellow, so combine better with the yellow lichens. But that’s just me; YMMV.

160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2 copy
160929Tumwater Falls-_7D20397-Edit3-Edit-2 copy1000×659 654 KB

4

Fascinating. At first it seems to be water, but upon closer inspection it morphs into lichens on wood. The patterns, textures, and lines are very appealing. I think the effect is super. I think maybe tone down the red as Bonnie suggests, but that’s person opinion.

5

Thanks, @SandyR-B , @Chris_Baird , @Bonnie_Lampley.

Sandy: When I was messing with this image the first time I added an oil painting filter to it that gave it the look of being very highly textured.

Bonnie and Chris: I see your point about the red. The base image was lichen on a very reddish rock and I never thought to mess with the base color, but I think it’s a good idea. I’ll have to play with it. The point color adjustment in LR has made that so much easier.