Shello, 'ello, 'ello!

[Manta]

Does this image work?

[stubbsy]

Sure does Simon. Simple and elegant. Well exposed and framed. I like

[huynhie]

Yes it does work, nice and simple.

[Manta]

Thanks Peter and Huynhie.
It's a bit different to what I normally shoot, not that I have any specific 'style' , but I made myself go out and take some shots this arvo. I'm pleased I did.

[leek]

Yep... It works... It might have achieved perfection with a little understated fill-flash to light up those dark recesses...

Nevertheless, I admire you for getting down on your stomach and gettin' dirty...

[sirhc55]

Simon - IMO this would work better with a double exposure. One as is, and the other for the innards of the shell and then combined and blended.

[birddog114]

Me too: it's work for me, nicely with simple.
I like it.

[Manta]

Thanks for responding folks

I agree Chris - I'll put on my composite hat tomorrow and have a play. Hopefully, John, this will lift the veil of secrecy on those recesses.

[Manta]

Here's another version, a composite of the two exposures, showing the internal detail. I think this one is much better but I'm happy to here from others.



Original:

[macka]

Simon, that's tonnes better. Nicely done.

[Bob G]

Nicely done Simon

Bob G

[Manta]

Cheers, Kris and Bob. Thanks for looking.

[sirhc55]

Champion Simon

[blacknstormy]

Kicks ass boyo
Was a great shot before, but this puts the finishing touches on it.
Well done
Rel

[Alpha_7]

Lovely Stuff Simon it works really well!

[leek]

That's what I was wanting to see Simon... That pink lustre inside the shell...

Now please explain in simple steps how you achieved that... Please

[Manta]

There are a couple of ways to do it but with this shot I merely opened the RAW image twice, one with the best exposure for the large area of the pic, then one for the interior of the shell (which blows out any highlights or light areas in the remiander of the shot.)

With both images now open, copy the lighter one and paste it into the dark image. You'll now have one image with two layers (light layer on top). Add a layer mask to this upper layer and, whilst ensuring the layer mask itself is active, simply paint black on everything you want to retain the original darker exposure. In other words, I painted black over everything except the shell interior. If you make a mistake, just change colours to white and paint over the mistake.