How I did it -        

COMMENTS:

 

Steve Estill
Candy Childrey	You've done a really nice job with the reflections, rain and brightening the overall image. The edges on the people seem to be a little too sharp and probably need to be softened. The light posts seem to be leaning to the left a bit. The bright streak across the top and the brightness in the puddles is a little distracting. They seem to need to be darkened somewhat. The rain effect is superb.
Phil Coleman	The looks of the rain, most of the landscape and the pavement are great.  But the structure on the left appears to me to be a small rocket ship and thus out of place.  Also, the people look pasted on.
Fes Parker	Very nice rendition of a rainy day and the colored umbrellas set it off. Seems like your process is lengthy but the outcome is nice. Nice to know it rains somewhere, I don't even own an umbrella.
Christine Pollard
Georgianne Giese	This is one of my favorites of yours! You took an ordinary image, and applied imagination to it. While the pencil-like outline of the characters might be distracting to some, I really like it. It contrasts to the smooth style of the ground, in a manner that an artist, drawing this scene, might do—sort of a combination of watercolor and colored pencil. It’s quite unique. It definitely and dramatically tells the story of a rainy day. In the initial image, the eye goes toward the center figures and sort of hangs there, wondering. In the final image, the eye goes directly to those figures, and moves forward, as if they were coming toward one. I like that effect! The color enhancement is well done—not overpowering, but dramatic enough to complement the story. It must have taken some time to go through all the steps you mention (thank you for detailing them!). Well done!
Leif Alveen	I am kinda mixed about this image. I mostly like it - it certainly does what it says on the tin, gives the impression of rain. Not just any rain, but a downpour from the looks of it. Another good thing is the rain texture (for lack of a better word) you have managed to create from the bland sky in the original image. Thumbs up there. The strollers, on the other hand, have become too graphic losing, their humanity in the process. They could have been even more graphic to create a more abstract feel, but I fear that may be too much of a conflict with the fine detail of the rain. One other thing is the composition. It doesn't really cut it for me - I have tried to crop from the bottom and a bit from the right, which tightens things up and to me works far better. I am aware that this cuts out some of the nice reflections, but I think it is better - see what you think.

Member Bio

Steve Estill I was Born in Whitby, North Yorkshire, worked away for most of my life, but now settled into a busy retirement back in Whitby. Married to Viv with 5 adult offspring between us and 7 grandchildren. I’ve been interested in photography for about 40 years and have progressed from Olympus Trip, through Nikon 35 mm to digital, where I’m happily playing. My other interests are music (I’ve played the guitar longer than I’ve used a camera) and our garden. I don’t have any particular speciality, but if I like the look of something I’ll take it and use it somewhere. I get frustrated with the technical ‘rules’ of what a photograph should be made up of – rules are made to be broken (if you know what the rules were there for in the first place), so the ‘Creative’ route is for me. My hobby is for pleasure. I mainly use a Nikon D300s (Also have a D200, a D70 with infrared conversion and Coolpix P5100), usually with the 18-200 VR lens, but also Sigma 170-500 mm, 10-20 mm and 150 mm macro. Software is CS5, with Lightroom 3, Photomatix Pro 4 and Proshow Gold. Computer: Dell – Windows 7, Monitor 24 in Dell, Printers Canon i9950 and Epson Stylus Photo R2880, Scanner Canon Canoscan 9000F, Graphics tablet Wacom Bamboo touch and pen Have a look at www.estills.net if you've got a spare minute or three!!