Gone too far with my postwork/manipulation again that is? I told myself as i started that i wouldnt overdo it...sigh...look what happens. I even pasted in a stupid seagull from another shot i took. Once i get started i just cant stop it seems.

Spend a bit more time with the rays and it is going to be believable

if it makes you feel good, do it!!!! PW happens! (as long as you're not hurting anyone...) hehe :] luv the color you've given it & drama... even the gull!!

PW happens indeed, LOL. Thank you Cindy #:O) I wasnt really going for a realistic image, but ill still work some more on the rays. Not pleased with them. Thanks Doug #:O)

andreas, you are a magician!!!!! from now on, when i will look at your photos, i always have to imagine the picture behind :) sigh postwork :( ... still a lot to learn.

LOL it goes from typical crappy shot,(no offense,it's just that I have many that look like the first shot and usually disregard them),to gorgeous dramatic landscape.You really know how to use Photoshop don't ya!Hmmmm.I'm with Doug on the rays.They're almost there.Just a touch more definition, I think,should do it.Beautiful work Andreas.You da man,lol! :)

Crappy huh? Why thank you Marlene, LOL. I gotta say though, that wave had quite an "impact" on me. Got really wet as soon as it hit the shore. Okay, so this will be my final version. Not a huge difference, just some more blur to the rays and also a slightly different tone to the sky. Thanks for your feedback and kind words. Yippie for this place!!!! #:O)

I like it! Just post it in the mixed medium? What's the problem.. endresult counts, right? I like the endresult a lot here, and it's much better then your basics.. in digital photography shooting is only part of the endresult :)

hey Andreas kimmers here at my moms house in Mich ( i snuck on her comput just to peek ...LOL shhh quiet now) .. and was JUST GOING TO LOOK and saw this and nearly fell off her chair ... its amazing.. i have been taking beach shots loast 3 nights here.. and your picture and postwork is inspiring to me.. OMG this is amazing you are so gofted at photo manipulation .. !! have to ahow my mom LOL NO then she will no i am on and wants me to take a break. cant help it.. well off to Holland Michagan today. and no not too much its a real glorious impressive work one to be proud of ...then sell! uh huh ayep! kimarie ( and she is allOMG! WANTS TO BE YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER!!!! )

LMAO @ Kimmie!!! You naughty girl, want me to tell on you? HEY MOM, MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! KIMMIES ONLINE AGAIN!!! #:OP Seriously though...awwwww, nice to see you and thank you!!!!! #:O)

It must be something about the beach lately, as I have been doing shots there for the past few days too! I love the final manip in number 7, I think it rocks! The water in the first image is green and just didn't do anything for me, but when you changed that wave to a deep blue, I knew you were on to something. Brenda :)

I think the PW'd image was fine. Perhaps a tiny bit surreal but that's my interpretation. I don't think it's necessary to ask if you went overboard...as suggested above. To some, what comes out on a "negative" is what is used and to others, what comes out on the "negative" is the starting point. This same topic pops up in the Poser forum every 6 months. An artist should use whatever means they feel enhances what they are creating.

Hi :) Surprise, surprise! Wow, Andreas, this is sooooooooooooo cool. I LOVE what you've done with your picture; not overdone imo, whatsoever! The seagull even looks real ;) Why fight the postwork urge .. let it all hang out ... let yourself go.

Your end result is beautiful! It shows not only you are a good photographer but you are creative, talented and have mastered your postwork program. Now having buttered you up and since this subject came up on another thread, I also think that if somone shows a photo with as much PW as has been done here, it should be clarified as such. Most people in this community do so but some seem to either think they can pass off something as an original or feel they only enhanced something that was already there. I don't think I'm a total purist but I am pretty traditional in my photography beliefs. Kind of old school I guess. Bottom line, I love your work and respect the fact you ask for opinions. You take digital photography to another level and I'll be happy if I ever learn half of what you know. Now, about your beaver problem, I used to run a marina on the San Joaquin Delta. We had to pay a pro to trap and "relocate" them every two years. They or their cousins, kids, aunts and grandparents always found their way back. Sorry about your trees :( Have a great week, Jackie

I like both of these pictures for different reasons... but your PW'd version came out fantastic!! Great job Andreas! I know what you mean about getting started and can't stop...same here! LOL :-) ~~maggie~~

Everyone has already said it all! This is a great image! I really love what you did with it. I'm a bit timid when it comes to using one of my shots that didn't come out real good, but you have the talent!! Wonderful work, Andreas, as usual! ;)

AAAAAAWWWWWW!!!! BLESS YOU PEOPLE!!! Phew, so reliefed. I did go for a surreal look and it looks like i managed to get just that. Thanks for all your kind feedback, sure made my day!!! #:O)