This is the final version of the shot I sent in for the Rock, Paper, Scissors challenge, that in retrospect I should never have submitted. First major rule: always compare the image you're working on to other images in your gallery. Especially late at night, the eye will perceive an image as much better than it is without something to compare it with. The funny thing is, I had an alternate shot that was somewhat similar to one of the final winning shots in that contest, and decided not to use it because it was too ordinary. Second major rule: at DPChallenge, technically sound beats interesting every single time.
Note that in the default view of the full page, the image will be zoomed up somewhat. To see the image in the correct size, click on the original image link, either here or below.
Original submission information follows:
The leaf is, admittedly, a bit small to be doing much wrapping, and the fingers managed to avoid any breakage. Shot taken at Tunica Falls, Mississippi.
Adjustment steps:
- Import from RAW
- Crop
- Noise Ninja
- Shadow/Highlight adjustment:
Shadows: 0
Highlight: 70% / 35% / 30px - Level Adjustment
- Sharpen
This is actually my second iteration on this image. I had finished one pass on it and was reviewing the rules before submission and realized to my dismay that I had forgotten only adjustment layers were allowed, which my original sharpening broke. I went back and redid it for this version with just straight USM.
