Sorry I've been a bit scarce in the forum and answering IM's/emails the last few of days. It turned into one of "those" weeks here. The big court battle between The Seattle Times and the Seattle PI is beginning to take it's toll. It's getting a little bit tense at work these days.

Anyway, thought I'd show you guys this. I found it interesting. Some of you night remember this image from a while back. It's a processed image from the Olympic National Park that I did right after the shoot. Message edited on: 01/28/2005 06:20

And this is the toning technique I created that I thought finally fit the images/mood I wanted. I find the difference really interesting (and not just on a technical level). It took a while, but I think the image finally has the feeling I wanted it to have all along. -=>Donald

I like both, but in my oppinion the first has not anough warm color and is to hard and the second one is a little bit to soft. But in the end I prefer the last one.

Yes, you have really evolved this technique nicely. The toned/softened one places the model much nicer in the background. Though this could very well become your "trademark" technique, there is also the real possibility you will look at these years from now and scramble to find the RAW archives. This is the second one you've shown that is really a candadate for color. Not sure if it would look best with deep, vibrant color. Or muted desaturation. It is exactly this sort of evolving presentation that shows why postwork is not something to be sneered at.

Well Donald....inspired By You....and I always did want to be noticed by National Geographic....I put My Mannequin through some of these Poses that You have shown.....Mannies Arm and Leg fell off...but ...I got some good shots....which I will send to You with My Resume...for when I am Your Assistant...swoon...the 2nd Photo really impressed Me....I wish I could get My Whites looking that Clean...sigh

I find the second turned what textures the old woods had into beautiful compliments to the model. Top one they detract from the pose and make it almost a landscape nature shot.She blended in too much. You sure are mastering this technique,and will also have a few followers in my opinion.

yes... in the 2nd she stands out more in a dreamy sort of way... no denying your masterful vision :]

Love the second one - but the lower legs seem to blend in a bit with the background - at least compared to the first one. There's this nice line of highlight running the length of her body, and then it seems to disappear at the knee...? A slight shimmer on her shin...? Just a "non-people shooter's" opinion. Wolf

I guess i'm always "odd man out!" LOL!! I really LOVE the first one, Donald, and think it's totally awesome!!! The second one, well...as much as i love those tones in so many of your images, i don't like it here. I'm not sure i can explain why except just personal preference. The first image...well it just feels so natural. The second one...well the tones seem a bit to dark or harsh or something. I have a hard time explaining it. all i know is when i look at them, I just enjoy the first one so much better. Good luck at work! Hope things calm down for you soon!!!!

@Sheila - There's really no "odd man out". Everyone sees differently. It's even more so when everyone is seeing a slightly different version because of how their monitors are set. It's one of the reason I listen and absorb the comments people make (helps me to understand how people are seeing what I make), but I rarely chase what they think should be fixed unless it happens to be something I've already thought of fixing or something I just overlooked. Otherwsise, you end up running in circles and when you finally are done it's not really your image anymore. @Wolf - The highlight that runs down her body and then disappers below the knee is because the light is coming from camera right (late in the day, so the overcast sun is getting low in the sky) and her leg at that angle blocks the lower leg from direct contact with it. If I had to do it over again, I'd place a white reflector camera left outside of frame to give a little more light there. @Never - You know, that's what I thought when I looked at it again. The original is very cold. I don't know why I didn't see it when I first did them. It's so weird how likes and dislikes can change.