What is wrong with this image? It just isn't feeling right to me. I took this a few weeks ago at a friends wedding and I want to do something special for them. Its just that I am missing something with this image.

Suggestions?

Magick Michael
aka zhounder

It looks like you have some photo image tools (photoshop, gimp, etc.)? Like what you did with the desaturation. The bride is going to be real happy with this in any case, but I'd try to de-emphasize the background even more than you have. Blur?

Blur may work. Those stumps are kind of harsh now that you mention it... PhotoShop 6 is my tool of choice but version 7 is getting closer! Magick Michael aka zhounder

I know what it's missing ! The guy who she is supposed to get married to ! =)

Do you have the original with all the colors ? I'm sure we can have a go at it :)

I find the road and path to be very distracting. Whack, lines right across the upper part of the image, ouch. More care should be taken with regard to background. If you ask me I would remove the road and path altogether. Get rid of the clutter. She also doesn't look too happy - but not much can be done about that I guess. I'm a B&W guy, so I have no idea if there are color/saturation problems.

I have to agree with the rest its the posts and the pathways they just make the picture so messy. If you post the original I will also have a go with this. :O)

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing. Salvador Dali

Yup! It's the pathway and the posts. Messes with the expected horizon and the posts look out of place. Try a stunt that I have used recently.Eliminate the objectional items or demphasize them. Turn the background into a painting, sketch or so on then place the the beautiful bride on a layer above. You have the makings of great keepsake. Bill

Attached Link: http://www.zhounder.com/images/photos/DSC01531.JPG

OK I agree with everybody. Some os you asked for the original image. the link is http://www.zhounder.com/images/photos/DSC01531.JPG It is Case sensative! And for those of you like me on dialups, its 800k. This is the jpg that came from the camera. I usually clean up the levels and contrast if needed then save them as TIFFs, but the TIFF is 9 megs. I try to shoot in TIFF for quality but in this case I knew I had limited memory stix and battery life was a concern seeing this was the longest continuous usage I had done. I had of 2 hours of battery left at the end of the night. Good Luck! Magick Michael aka zhounder

Had a little dabble with your shot removed the paths etc. It doesnt look as messy now. I am sure the other guys will get creative with it. I think I would try some soft focus effectshope this helps. Have fun Jeff :O)

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing. Salvador Dali

By placing a bride only on background that had been filled, blurred and given a watercolor effect, you get this kind of image. There are many variables, coning care, amount of blur and the settings of the watercolor effect. Then there is the amonut of transparency in each layer. Results become unique and subject to your own sense of what you want. Bill

Well everyones ideas are excellant. I think I will let the bride decide. What the hell, she lives right next door! I have been playing also and this is what I came up with. I held an old image of my grandfather as a boy (circa 1890) up to the monitor and tried to match the tones. This was my results. Magick Michael aka zhounder