The end of the Season

[Padre]

I shot this in my neighborhood.* Lighting came from 3 sources; the top of the image was lit by a street lamp, I used an off camera flash to light the ground, and my wife (I mean assistant ) held a flashlight on the tree trunk.* Thanks for looking and comments and critiques encouraged.

[mavb]

I LOVE your idea here. I am no light specialist by any stretch, but I wonder if hitting the swing with more light would enhance the picture. As is it seems to "just be there" when it seems to me that you are trying to make it a key member of your cast. Just a thought.

[Padre]

Good point Mavb. While I like the image it is lacking something.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I was thinking hit the swing literally. The movement could give it the eerie feeling. Nice idea and exposure though.

[Padre]

That a great idea Russ. I wonder if this could be achieved with ps?

[mavb]

Padre,
I'm sure that you could give the effect of a moving swing in PS.
I had another thought... What if you put a light shining DOWN on the swing?

[mavb]

There are some light effects in GIMP (I'm sure PS has them) but I don't know enough about them to make much out of them.
I did however play a bit. It may be cheesey, I don't know.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Here is an attempt at a spot light on the swing...

[mavb]

Russell, That is what I was looking for in GIMP but failed. That looks much better.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I used Photo Impact 12. Selected the swing area with the oval tool and with a soft edge of 70. I then adjust highligh and midtone a tad to give the feel of a spot light.