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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> CTF Challenge 168 - Diagonals >> CTF Challenge 168 - Exhibition > Apple a Day
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18-AUG-2008 CJ in CA

Apple a Day


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ctfchallenge18-Sep-2008 13:30
I agree that the deletion of that other reflection looks better but I wish I had that "patch" tool - it sounds nifty! Maybe the next version of "Elements" will have it - but I'm waiting for you to win the lottery as I can't sneak the cost of PS on to our credit card! :-D CJ

PS: Keep commenting away Kiki, you have a great eye for detail and an equally great knowledge of the PS tools to help correct problems! :-)
ctfchallenge18-Sep-2008 05:48
Pretty much perfect now :) What do *you* think? Perhaps I'm just over-opinionated and unusually awful.. :P (I'll get you Photoshop when I win the lottery. "No problem".)
-k2
ctfchallenge18-Sep-2008 01:17
Kiki, thanks for the editing help but I only have PS Elements so I don't have all the tools available that you have - I did the best I could with the tools I have! Better? CJ
ctfchallenge17-Sep-2008 23:08
lol CJ :) Perfect crop, and the stem doesn't steal the show now. Very nice. However, I just got a fit of Nitpicking & Wordiness, and you shall be my unfortunate victim:

There are some lines of brighter pixels along bottom of the apple, and they don't look intended. Also: I'd have taken out the leftmost reflection. No point in having two there.. unless you want it to look like eyes? White steals attention, in particular when it's smaller reflections. That's why it can be so attractive when in the shape of catch-lights in an eye.. and so distracting when on a nose or nostrils etc.

I guess you're familiar with the patch tool, but for anyone else: It's a godsend for reflection stuff. I use it for skin work, and an apple is no different really:

Work on a duplicate layer and just draw a generous area around the reflection. Drag the selection (in this case drag downwards a small inch) and drop it when it hovers over an area with approximately identical luminance. Voila. Clone-tool: Begone.

Description is for the setting "Patch: Source". (A radio-button "check box" in the Options "window", by default located along top of Photoshop.)
-k2
ctfchallenge17-Sep-2008 21:26
Thanks all! Kiki, I uploaded the wrong apple so here's the one sans handle and bright stem. Is this what you had in mind? :-) CJ
ctfchallenge17-Sep-2008 01:45
I have to agree - well controlled dark to light - nice sheen to the blade and a great looking apple!! nice job.
Penny Street
ctfchallenge15-Sep-2008 21:05
Nice light, clean and diciplined. The stem and reflections on the apple are a wee bit bright, steals attention from the sweet little drop on the blade, imo. But the colors and reflections from the apple on the blade are delightful. I would have cropped this more square'ish, from the right :) Our ideas of cropping seem to be on collision course in this challenge. I've probably lost it.. to the extent that I ever had it lol. Been away too long.
-k2
ctfchallenge15-Sep-2008 17:28
Thats a mean looking blade - Nice colurs too grey and red-Debi
ctfchallenge15-Sep-2008 13:45
The drip at the end of the blade is a nice touch. Juicy is good. -COAmature
Rod 15-Sep-2008 09:23
I really like the gradient from dark to light on the blade & apple, nicely done Carole.