It looks very mysterious and ghostly.

The light spill is wonderful in this shot! It takes a bit of guts to push the contrasts to the extremes, but the results are worth it in this shot. The only thing I would think might add to the effect is to increase the bloom around the windows, especially the center one. Then again, that may be too much... Very nice shot and concept!

I like this One a Lot... You've captured Much of the Interesting details... The glaze on the Lamp Base, the Fruit, The Wallpaper, and the Fabric of the Furniture, yet, You blurred Out the Sharpness on the Opposing side of the Windows. This is So much more appealing, and A nice touch. Inspiring!

I am not sure if it was bravery of stupidity that made me push the contrast so much on this one. There is also a lot of added glow to get a dreamy effect, but that may be OTT. Anyone with some negative points?

I wonder if it's possible to keep the light effects while increasing the clarity of the view through the windows? Maybe that wouldn't work, though.

Just like your bravery/stupidity!

But methinks that the contrast is taken away some details in the middle of the picture around the table and big window, the light/contrast is a bit to much in that area. The best part for me is at the right side of the chair, clarity and contrast are perfectly overthere, because details are still visible.

But overall I like the idea and yes...there is some dreamy effect in here too :o)

Took some time taking this one in, and I initially agreed with scoobster's assessment of changing the visual weight of one of the elements within frame.

As is, and in my humble opinion.. the light sources/respective luminance is more or less equal across the board.


Then, as I am want to do.. downloaded your photo and messed around.

Then.. it dawned on me what was bothering me about your image here, Chris. Still and somewhat on the notes of visual weight and balance.


Here is the 'fix', if you will and according to my eyes ... "Dreams by Day" - 'reworked'. Area of upper wall reflecting light, selected .. filled in with Black, Guassian Blur applied ... some use of the Erase tool to blend.

Now, our eyes are not arrested and are allowed to further investigate and recede into the darkness of the right-hand side. But.. still with the one chair and more prominent lamp providing focal points of interest. As well as, setting up/underscoring the composition a bit more.


Here is my personal preference, with respect to post processing and in particular, on the notes of the diffuse glow... "Dreams by Day" - 'reworked' ... perfectly. (<--- Kidding, kidding.. :oP)


I believe you provided enough hints in your accompanying narrative as to what your creative objective aim/goal was when post processing.

And think you accomplished that with your original presentation. The separation of hot and cold areas/objects ... or, simply put ... those objects illuminated by the 'hot' light of 'a hot land' and then that of the 'cool' shadowed areas/objects.


Visual 'balance' and 'weight', were and are the operative words.


Nicely composed, a strong element in and of itself.

And I really love the resultant image quality, notwithstanding the constructive critiquing nonsense alluded to in my above words.

First, I really like this shot. However, if I may be honest with my opinion, I think the glow effect really takes over the image - to the point that the subject seems to be the glow. I've looked at the reworks Les did and these seem to tame that down quite a bit but now seem to be loosing the "Dream" effect.

Maybe tone down some of the extra glows then accent details on one of the central objects somehow to give a focus. I'm thinking of the feel you get when you stare at something in a room for a long time and everything in your peripheral view begins to fade. I wish I knew how to achieve that technically.

I do love the shot though, Chris.