Advice on Montages

[bayhli]

I've put two versions of a montage in my gallery and would really appreciate it if you took a look and offered your advice or comments - even if it's "are you nuts - not a good idea" ! Definitely turned out busier than I imagined.

I started out making a Xmas Card, mainly for relatives who haven't been back to our town for years; not sure what Im going to do with it now. The images are all landmarks that relatives will recognize, including the islands which is why it is the background.

Anyway, I'd love your comments on how to improve or scrap the whole idea. :)

Thanks...

[CarolLHB]

Pat-those are very cool! I do have a minor suggestion-for the bridge on the lower left-could you try to blend the bottom a bit so that the line is not so sharp along the bottom? What I love is the overall cool-ish color throughout-they look like old photos. Very nice!
:)

[GaryK]

Pat

Great idea..looks fantastic.

Have you tried all black and white..or even gone with a slight sepia look.
The problem with elements is toooooo many options. I never know when to stop fiddling.:) Might even want to try balck and white island and colour other items.

If the people have been gone for a long time, you might even use all colour and just desaturate a bit ..sort of a washed out older photo type of effect.

These are just suggestions, you may have tried most already and they didn't look right.

Sorry ..now you have other things to try.:D

[Wendy]

Pat ...

Apart from the bit that Carol mentioned I can't think of anything else ... both images are really good and you have made a great job of them.

I think its a great idea and they are going to love them ... Well done :)

Wendy

[kayser]

Pat,

I really like the overall effect; you did a good job! I was wondering how it would look with some text in it; it's hard to know that without trying. And then I noticed the words in the bridge on the top left; I wonder how it would look with that in the bottom more in the foreground, sort-of giving it that overall theme? Not sure if that even makes sense or what you've already tried. And, I'm not even sure it needs improving!
Thanks for sharing.

[Mary]

Hi Pat - I think it is a GREAT idea and love what you have done. I think I like the first one best and if evena little change I would like to see the top right picture tilted to the left. The horizon is tipping way up and everything else seems pretty level.:)

[karen donnybrook]

I like the montage with the colour in it and no I would not change the bridge because bridges all have that sharp bottom edge to them. Where are the places and what is their significance?

[Jodi Frye]

I go for color....the way it is.

[NMarti]

Pat
I vote color. They are both really nice but I like a little more color or the sepia tones mentioned by Gary. I really love the old look and since they are landmarks the "old" look would fit.

[Carbone]

The first one has a very romantic look, kind of nostaligic. Good work !

Ray

[Lynn Dryer]

Take it to the local establishment and have them turn this into a postcard! (Color)

[bayhli]

Thanks so much for all your gracious comments and advice.

The straight edge of the bank under the bridge bothered me too - sharp compared to everything else. There is water in front of it but it isn't strong enough to show the blending - I gave up but will have to play with that some more .

I like the sepia idea; it was too yellowish when I tried it but it would bring out the background perhaps if I could match the tones of the island beaches. So true there are so many ways to go with Elements it's hard to choose.

I like both the B&W and the colour - If I use it to make cards maybe I'll do both!

The landmarks I chose have been around since the beginning of the town so anyone who has lived here is familiar with them. The classic post office, part of our town beach and the underpass into the main part of town. It began as a Can. Nation Railway town so the Railway Station is a must. That bridge is a railway bridge most of us walked in our bare feet, finding treasures following the tracks to the bridge and scurrying to get over it before a train came. But before us and the railway town there were Native Indians. Behind the bridge is a "mountain", a hill really, where they watched for their Native enemies coming down the waterways in their canoes. Long before the battle started, they would take their women and children to those islands for safety. So the legend goes... I pass that gorgeous lake on my way into town every day - going to capture those sunsets this summer, do or die!

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond..... I'll be busy playing with the final version for some time yet! But it was fun to do and even more fun to inprove.