Bender

[jjeling]

My brother is into Buddhism as well, so I thought I would try a little piece from his shrine. The figure is black, not sure if it works well with the background. Blue was the other choice and it was a poor color combination imo, so I stuck with black

Wish I would have been paying attention, think the second shot would have been a great HDR opportunity. Maybe Ill go back sometime. How do the colors work? Is it a little dark?

[Marko]

Shot 1 looks soft to me so that's my main concern. It may also have benefited from some background light.

Shot 2 as an HDR is intriguing....I'd have like to have seen it.
Good play here!
Marko

[jjeling]

Thanks marko. I thought it was little soft as well. There isnt enough in the second image to make it captivating without going HDR I thought. This is the only picture I saved. I guess Ill be going back soon to see what I can do with it.

[Mad Aussie]

I agree with Marko. My first thought was this is out of focus. May have been so dark that you needed manual focus? Camera's look for areas of stark contrast to get their focus off so if that doesn't exist where you have the focal point aimed the lens/camera will struggle.
I think you are right about the blue ... black is better for this.
I think perhaps that a stronger light on the buddha may have helped ... not sure on that though. I'd have to try myself I think.
I think if you'd nailed the focus it would be a good shot as is.

Shot 2 looks like weak on contrast or exposure to me. I'm sure that can be brightened nicely with some curves treatment or similar. But maybe some saturation as well?
I like the real car idea but don't think it worked well this time. Too much reflection in the window and I think more of the car might be needed. Maybe even try positioning the car so it looks like it's being overtaken by the vintage car?

[Mad Aussie]

Should add ... your always thinking JJ http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/2thumbsup.gif

[edbayani11]

the second shot looks like it was made in autocad or 3dmax. completely computer graphics. only my opinion

[Marko]

that's interesting Ed , to me it looks like a straight up mural. HMMM.