Just isn't looking right...

[MBChamberlain]

I'm trying to get this image ready for a video I'm working on, the original is too narrow to work, so I'm trying to work in a different background. I chose this background because the lighting is coming in at almost the right angle, but something just doesn't look right and I can't figure out what it is that's bothering me.

What do you think,

Michael

[Gary Richardson]

Hi Michael, the first thing that hit me is that the house is'nt level, but the two figures are.

[Ken Fournelle]

Mike,

It's hard to determine from this size image, but are the man and boy sharper than the background image? If they are, they may blend a bit better if they reflected the sharpness of the overall image.

Also, maybe placing a bit of shadow behind them would tie them to the background better.

K

[MBChamberlain]

Gary, I think that might have been the problem, how does this look.

Ken, The background blur was intentional (trying to get a good depth of field) I have backed it off a bit.

Thanks guys,

Michael

PS Still looking for comments or suggestions if you have them.

[Ken Fournelle]

Mike,

The DOF is understandable, my only sense is a photo with that angle of view, and apparent wider focal length, shot under bright daylight would have a greater depth of field. It's a minor thing.

By the way, I would like to ask about your "glamor" posting the other day--which I thought was very, very good. Off list if you are amenable.

thanks,

k

[Gary Richardson]

Looks much better, but I think the figures should cast a shadow, this based on the shadow cast by the brim of the man's hat on his forehead.

[1STLITE]

The thing to me about it was that the man and boy look too gray. Wouldn't the white on the man's shirt be at least close to the white on the building in the background? That is what strikes me about it, makes it look like it is faked or that the two elements do not match.

Dawn

[Hephaestos]

I think the sun angle is off. It might work better if you flipped horizontal on either the figures or the background.

On the figures, you can tell from the hat bills that the sun is high and to the viewer's back-right. On the background, you can tell from the tree's shadow on the left side of the picture that the sun is lower, and on the viewer's left.

[barry_uk]

After looking at the guys placed on the front to me looked out of balance if you look at the fence ! i believe the fence post would be around waist high!
I redid it so the guys looked alittle back yet dont look out of place! I could be wrong but to me kinda looks right, What do you say!!

Regards Barry

[rondon]

I thought the suit was too dark. so I softened that and lost the tree's shadow

[Flora]

Hi Michael,

beside correcting what everybody suggested already, (tone, contrast, light *that could still be improved*, straightening), I cropped the background image to remove the tree-trunk not to have a size comparison close by ....

I increased the size of the subjects and lightly sharpened them, considering them the main point of the picture .... I added some shadow behind them as well ...

[nebgranny]

That is what I was thinking Flora. I wanted to post that suggestion after looking at it..but being so new did not post. I like it. They look more like they fit now. Neb