River Lights
The use of computer software has opened up a whole new level of creativity to the photographer. With the use of manipulation and filtration one single image can be transformed into a number of completely different versions. One of the most popular is to convert the straight photo image into a painterly translation.
This image has been presented to us in two versions, both shown below.
The water color version has the feeling of a twilight scene that was hand painted. The use of blues and yellows gives us the feeling that the town lights have just been turned on and night is fast approaching. Though the shapes have been distorted with the water color effect they are easily recognizable. The layering of color in the sky leaves the impression of a sunset just past. You will note that the horizon that the buildings sit on is about one third down from the top of the image. With the reflections in the water we have a very pleasing balance.
The one objection I have is the selection of the caecilian used in the water. I don’t think this vivid hue of blue is available in water colors. I could be wrong.
The second version is intended to represent a charcoal sketch of the same scene. I fine this image to have an entirely different mood. It gives me the feeling of much later in the evining, almost a deserted feeling to the town, as if everyone has closed up for the night and the village is silent. This version is much harder to read and understand the details. The bridge is less recognizable and the reflections lack the balance we saw with the color version. Because the river is black and a wide black border has been added the balance of the illustration is not as pleasing. It is acquit but not as dramatic an image as the watercolor.
Click on Image 
Watercolor 
Charcoal 
Original 
March 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
This picture, called River Lights, of the Arno River in Florence, Italy, was taken just before dawn on a summer’s morning. I am still searching for the best treatment of this image to express the magical feeling of that quiet morning. The original image just doesn’t convey what I was feeling and seeing in that ever so quiet and beautiful pre-dawn morning before the busy city came to life. I hope through the use of digital art techniques to create the same experience for the viewer that I felt when gazing at the early morning river lights.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Beautiful how the watercolor worked here. Gorgeous!