Caedes

Contest Results: Fairy Tales

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Ended 12/03/11 12:15 AM GMT
Winner: Inkeri (See the full results)

1st place
The place where stories and legends comes alive by Inkeri

TheWhisperer: This is a lovely little cottage and you can just imagine the fairy stories that could be written around this. Good luck in the contest. Well done!
Ann

lilu103: Ohhh, this is a perfect fairy tale cottage! Thatched roof and everything! Love it :))) Best of luck!!!

Inkeri received a 2 month membership in the Caedes Cadre.

2nd place
Night Dreams by coram9

danika: Love the magical lighting. Very creative work, Chris & best wishes in the contest.

Ed1958: Congrats Chris.
Great compo.
Ed.

Roseman_Stan: Excellent work here Chris. You got all the creative juices flowing well with this one.

coram9 received a 1 month membership in the Caedes Cadre.

3rd place
Isle of Wanderers by Akeraios

Logun7: Congratulations!

lmass: A wonderful fantasy image.

dreamer100: Grass, bark and trees all truly lovely in natural texture and softness. It tells a story of isolation and quest even without your narrative. Good one.

allisontaylor: A magical creation. I too enjoy the color tones and lighting. I'm on the fence with the lanterns. But I am not sure why? lol Love the mood.

4th place
Dragon at the Gate by Tootles

Joanie: Cool work girl!!! You've got a great imagination and I wish you good luck :-)

Jhihmoac: Wonderfully done! faved...

purmusic: Love.. it!


Lost count of the number of times I have come back to your image's page here, having first viewed it upon posting.

And I still can't get past the initial feeling evoked of a mischievous and benevolent dragon sneaking about, who is a friend to the king's son. (So, take this 'constructive critique' with a grain of salt. ;o) )


The posturing (stating the obvious here, perhaps) ... and that of the colour palette makes for a very inviting illustrative-like image. On the notes of what is transpiring within frame (telling a story, or parts of) and stimulating more imaginative twists and details.


The composition really sets this one up well, in my opinion. The somewhat lower perspective and looking upwards.. adds to the 'lighter sense of being' and 'airiness' (rest assured, it's a good good thing)imparted.

The lines of the castle itself, in conjunction with the 'flow' of the clouds, et al.. underscores the strength of this element.


Caveats?

Minor, at best.

Smoke emanating from the dragon's nostrils. Gets lost a bit against the backdrop and is not quite as polished (not sure how you created this facet ... or that of it's positioning, layer-wise).

... ...

Ahh, ok.. got it.

The one word descriptor that has been eluding me pea brain.. 'delightful'.

:o)

5th place
...in the Forest of Ever After... by lilu103

0930_23: Congratulations on placing the in the contest. Your efforts proved fruitful.

TicK


(Viewed Full Screen)

purmusic: Nice work, Lisa.

And I can only imagine the creative time involved to composite an image as yours here.

Proportions/relative sizes and perspective for each of the animals, birds, butterflies, mushrooms.. are done well. And their placement within frame in the various visual nooks and crannies and overall, on the notes of Composition and that of Balance.. is good good.


Caveats?

The base forest image has some.. some, being the operative word ... exposure problems. In that some of the shadowed areas are just that. Details are blocked to a degree. What gives it away to my eyes is the Colour Balance leaning towards the cooler side of the spectrum (blues, magentas, et al.. a lil' bit more on this to follow).

Could be.. the White Balance setting selected in conjunction with how you set the Exposure for the scene.

Suggestion?

If your camera supports Auto-Bracketing.. shoot away to capture a few photos with the Exposure already changed automatically for you (or that of White Balance, ISO, etc..).

If your camera does not support Auto-Bracketing.. employ the Exposure Compensation option/function that I am sure your camera does have ... and shoot a few shots this way. Under/Over.. can then select the best or blend a couple (i.e. one is better exposed for the ground, one is better exposed for the sky).


Colour Balance.

As mentioned; the blues, magentas, etc.. are a bit more prominent.

Nothing wrong with this, nor to a large degree or extent.

My thoughts are that your image here is a great desktop/wallpaper for kids.. and adults that have not lost touch with their inner child.. and 'warmer' might be a tad better.

Suggestion?

Here you go, I simply googled these terms.. 'free Photoshop action Curves' and came up with these hits:

"Add-ons and Tools for Photoshop Elements" (the 'how to use actions' stuff can also be found on this linked page)

"30+ Must Have Photoshop Actions For Photo Touch-Ups"

... and a refinement with the search terms could probably produce better and more exacting results. (Russell Brown's site is quite good as well ... russellbrown.com ... might have to dig around though to find the stuff for older versions of Photoshop.)


Simply put (you may be aware of what actions do, I am merely elaborating here for the uninitiated), actions are preset various adjustments (could be Curves, Levels, and more complicated adjustments towards the end of a creative aim/technique ... i.e. 'vintage look').

A good good and fast way to edit your images, till 'you' (speaking generally here) become familiar with using the editing tools/options available to you. And many actions allow you to make further adjustments as they run.


Right, coming back to the point of 'warmer' colours.

Personal preference.

Well, add to that ... that 'we' attribute a 'feel and mood', given the overall colour palette that 'we' perceive. (<--- Think this is self-explanatory?)


Alllll that said..


Well done.. and best of luck with your entry here. :o)