Doesn't quite look right?

[cjt]

Feel free to skip the next two paragraphs!
Theodore Roosevelt spent a few years in the Southwestern part of North Dakota which is known for its Badlands. He came here in the 1880's after the death of his wife. He established a ranching business which eventually failed due to a major blizzard, among other things. I live about a 2 hour drive from the North Unit of Theodore National Park. It's one of my favorite places. 

We also have a city park here in Minot that is, yup!, Theodore Roosevelt City Park. It has a nice statue of him astride a great horse. So, I had photos of all of this and decided to try a composite. The photo of the statue was on a bright clear day, so made selection easy. Lazy Bighorn Sheep and a cute baby buffalo are obvious additions to such a project. 

But something does not quite feel right about this effort. Teddy is looking in the wrong direction?? Comments from others would be helpful. 
cjt

[VickiD]

cjt, I think the main thing needed here is a bit of color and lighting harmonization for the statue. It's too 'blue' for the rest of the image. I played with it in PSCC, using the Neural filters, which PSE doesn't have and was able to make it look a bit more cohesive. I'm not sure if this is a board where we're allowed to post 'fixes' to the original images, so I won't do that.

As for the direction he's looking, seems to me he's kinda guarding his territory.

[Lillias]

I think the statue needs more contrast to give it more substance. At the moment to me it looks more ghost like. I agree with Vicki as to the colour - it’s too blue and doesn’t go with the rest of the composite page.
The direction he is facing is fine. Personally I am not a fan of the abrupt cut off where I’m assuming you have removed him from his horse. I would tend to use a mask and with a soft brush blend that abrupt edge into the page.
But it all depends on the vision YOU have for your page.

Note: Just for information in view of Vicki’s comment re whether fixes are allowed to be posted in this Board...
There is only one Board in the whole Forum where members are allowed to download and work with another members posts and that is the ‘Member to Member Photo Advice’ Board.

[Sepiana]

Jan 3, 2023 20:05:36 GMT cjt said:

But something does not quite feel right about this effort.
Comments from others would be helpful. 

cjt,

You could try adjusting the color of the statue so that it will be harmony with the other elements in your image.

1. Make a selection of the statue.
2. Create a Solid Color fill layer.
3. Sample a color in the image to be used by the Solid Color fill layer.
4. Change the blending mode of the Solid Color fill layer to Color.

For more information on creating, editing fill layers in Elements, see . . . Adjustment and fill layers.

[hmca]

cjt, aside from other suggestions that have been made, if you have saved your layers.....or are willing to begin again....I think that making the statue larger and have his body touch the bottom of the frame it would improve the overall look of your image. I just looked quickly on StockSolo as I was typing this to see if I could find an example of what I mean. This would give more of the impression suggested by Vicki that he was "guarding/looking over, the land.  Of course your statue would be on the left and the park in the background.  Reread the posts and see that Lillias made a similar suggestion.

[Jim]

Along with the good color adjustment advice already mentioned by others, you might try relocating Teddy's bust so it looks more connected to the landscape. For instance, place the bottom of the bust right on the top line of the grassy knoll or perhaps setting him on one of the lower rock formations that are currently behind his right shoulder. Of course if you do move him higher up you may have to place the text low on the grassy hill, etc. Just my 2¢ worth.

[cjt]

And some experimentation with selections, adjustments, and moving things around, this!
cjt

[pontiac1940]

Regarding your first effort ... You could tilt TR a bit ... maybe 10° or so. 

You changed text color in your second post...better. There are many ways to enhance text to make it pop: stroke (outline) and drop shadow are my two "go to" changes. I use them because they can be effective and yet fast and simple to do. Samples below.  

Blue was used in the lower section because it is complementary to the more-or-less orange/brown foreground. 


This will be too much info if you know about text (other objects) styles. 

[cats4jan]

How about a soft brush under your text?  Helps the text stand out -- and blend in 
And, it's less formal and 'in your face' than a box or tag with the text in it

In this case, you wouldn't want a straight brush stroke,
but, to make a straight brush stroke across the page, hold down the shift key as you brush



-and subtle change with Teddy - a little smaller - a little further to the right - a little lower
It's so subjective - you want him to be looking over the photo, but he seems awkward too high

-Plus, the bottom edge is still not blending in as well as the rest of him

-Had another thought, how about lessening the opacity -
it would blend in more and look as if he's looking back from the past

Then, after reducing opacity - maybe you would make him bigger and higher -
looking over his domain


It's great to experiment because each change is a learning experience, but realize you can work a project 'to death' -
-at some point, you have to say - I'm done
-- because - the only person you have to please is yourself. 

If you ask a dozen people, you will get a dozen viewpoints - 








Gotta admit, this is more creepy than cool, but this is what I was talking about -
making Teddy less opaque and looking down over his domain

[cjt]

THX for all the things to try! This will keep me occupied for awhile.
cjt

[hmca]

Thanks for sharing your newest attempt incorporating some of the suggestions that have been made, cjt. I like the way you have incorporated Jim's suggestion and lots of good advice in Janice's last post.

[cjt]

Trying some of the suggestions for text and what to do with Teddy. Decided that the little calf in the middle of the Little Missouri River was not a good idea! Instead, I pay tribute to my late wife overlooking the scene, as the North Unit was one of her all-time favorite places. THX for all the help for something to challenge while waiting out Covid! All of which is more information than you probably wanted, but, THX!
cjt

[cats4jan]

That turned out nice. I like that you changed focus to your wife. The text is showing up much better. Good job.

[VickiD]

Nice job, cjt...I love that you changed it to your late wife...a nice tribute!