DSS #21 - Birds, Barb Wire and Bluebonnets...

[dnie]

Ok, I need some C&C here...Please

I like what I have done, and it sure took me long enough. I am not experiened at photo editing and had to add the background I wanted. Whew!
What do you all think? Any good? Good enough to enter? Please help...

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/500221666_VKdso-L-1.jpg

[redleash]

Hey, are those real bluebonnets . . . or did you stick some plastic ones in the ground? :rofl They are so scarce down here. I saw a few today along the edges of Hwy 281 median, but no way to shoot them and they probably aren't worth the effort. It's a disappointing year for wildflowers.

On the other hand, I like your image. I'm not sure the title grabs me; "Birds, Barb Wire and Bluebonnets" just repeats what's in the photo. If I think of any suggestions I will post again.

Lauren

[dnie]

Yep, real bluebonnets! We are starting to see a few here. These were near the Denison Dam. That is usually a good spot to find them for me. There were a few Indian Paintbrushes and some Crimson Clover out today too. I think we are just getting the rain we need to bring them out... and now here I sit waiting for the sleet and snow that is supposed to come in tonight. Texas weather, gotta love it!

[dnie]

ok, I just can't believe there aren't more people sitting there thinking... well, that looks _____(good, stupid, out of place)... something.
Come on, I have biased people at home to tell me how wonderful everything is, what do you think?

[richtersl]

The photo is A+ :thumb. Great font choice with nice color.

But for the cover design, here's what I'd suggest:

Crop the empty space on the right side and crop the third barbed wire from the bottom. Don't forget to bring your byline up higher before cropping. Play a bit with the placement of your byline. Currently it's left-aligned, but try it centered and right aligned to see which balances out better to your eye.

Just a small grammar nit: "Barbed Wire" not "Barb Wire" :wink

[dnie]

Just a small grammar nit: "Barbed Wire" not "Barb Wire" :wink
:) Not if yopur from Texas:wink Actually, it can be used either way. I was using the shorter version because the longer seemed like to much, but I wasn't sure of anyone else would like it. I'm glad you mentioned it!

Thanks much Linda, I will see if I can figure out how to change it around. :) I saved an extra without the words so that I could be sure to have one if I had to change it around. I will get this editing stuff learned sooner or later.

[redleash]

"Bob Wahr"

Check this out: http://www.hlsr.com/hmagazine/03feb/devilsrope.pdf

:wink Lauren

[dnie]

"Bob Wahr"

Check this out: http://www.hlsr.com/hmagazine/03feb/devilsrope.pdf

:wink Lauren

Thats It!!
I knew the others didn't roll off my Texas tougue right! :rofl
Thanks Lauren:clap :giggle

[dnie]

#1

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/500221666_VKdso-M-1.jpg


or #2

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/501120716_z6UgK-M.jpg

or other suggestions....

[redleash]

Donna, I like #2 better. Either "Barb Wire" or "Barbed Wire" works for me. I just think the two strands give it a nice look without breaking up the image so much. I also like the placement of the text, though I would raise your name a bit from the bottom edge.

Good luck!

Lauren

[dnie]

ok, one last edit for the day.... I am tired of sitting here. The sun is shining and begging me to go outside and take a ride.
(of course there are all the chores I should be doing...oh well!)

#1

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/500221666_VKdso-M-1.jpg


#2

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/501120716_z6UgK-M.jpg

#3

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/501151837_tPsLu-M.jpg

[AndMan]

#3 imho.

[JAG]

#3 looks great!:thumb :thumb

[redleash]

Yep, #3 for me also. Good work, Donna!

quiz: How do Texans pronounce "oil" ?

[dnie]

Yep, #3 for me also. Good work, Donna!

quiz: How do Texans pronounce "oil" ?

I know how I say it but can't figure out how to spell it. sort of like a "awl" sound?
In my last job I used to make the people in CA laugh at me when I emailed them. I would "ya'll" and they found that hilarious

[dnie]

Thanks everyone! I think #3 is the one.

Now, I am actually inspired! I have been out getting photos to fill the book. That will be the easy part.

[divamum]

Late to the party, but #3 for me too. :thumb

[dnie]

:D Better late than never!

[KevXman]

#3 does it for me.

Donna, being a misplaced native Texan, I have the Texas dictionary on my bookshelf. Its always good to browse it every so often to remind me of what I'm missing. Here's a link to some excerpts.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/texan.htm

Its even better with the accompaning photos though.

— Kevin

[dnie]

#3 does it for me.

Donna, being a misplaced native Texan, I have the Texas dictionary on my bookshelf. Its always good to browse it every so often to remind me of what I'm missing. Here's a link to some excerpts.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/texan.htm

Its even better with the accompaning photos though.

— Kevin
even my Texas twang ain't that bad.... but I understood every word of it.

[redleash]

And then there's the Dixie drawl, which ain't the same as the Texas one:

MR DUCKS
MR NOT DUCKS
OSAR, CDEDBD WANGS
LIB, MR DUCKS!

(My husband used to give "speaking lessons for the geographically impaired" :rofl )

[dnie]

And then there's the Dixie drawl, which ain't the same as the Texas one:

MR DUCKS
MR NOT DUCKS
OSAR, CDEDBD WANGS
LIB, MR DUCKS!

(My husband used to give "speaking lessons for the geographically impaired" :rofl )

I understood it... don't know if anyone else will. :D My poor son just shook his head and walked away. Poor thang... has a hick for a mama (at least that is what most 18 year olds think)

[Throbbe]

I like number two with maybe the text "traveling Texas country roads" slightly lower. Very nice work either way......

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/500221666_VKdso-M-1.jpg


or #2

http://donna-niemann.smugmug.com/photos/501120716_z6UgK-M.jpg

or other suggestions....[/quote]

[dnie]

I like number two with maybe the text "traveling Texas country roads" slightly lower. Very nice work either way......




As a matter of fact, that is just what I wound up entering. :D See there, you could have told me what to do long ago.

[michswiss]

And then there's the Dixie drawl, which ain't the same as the Texas one:

MR DUCKS
MR NOT DUCKS
OSAR, CDEDBD WANGS
LIB, MR DUCKS!

(My husband used to give "speaking lessons for the geographically impaired" :rofl )

Sadly, I understood this as well. And I thought I'd left my Texan once I'd cross the Red River for the last time.

But in terms of the book cover. Aside from font selection, I'd really prefer the bird to be more left and lower in the composition, looking into the frame. As it is, centre (notice the odd spelling for a former Texan) and looking right throws out the balance of the shot, for me.

Or as I might have said in an earlier life; That dog don't hunt.

[dnie]

Sadly, I understood this as well. And I thought I'd left my Texan once I'd cross the Red River for the last time.

But in terms of the book cover. Aside from font selection, I'd really prefer the bird to be more left and lower in the composition, looking into the frame. As it is, centre (notice the odd spelling for a former Texan) and looking right throws out the balance of the shot, for me.

Or as I might have said in an earlier life; That dog don't hunt.

Well, howdy former neighbor! what part of Texas is ya'll from? (and I'd love to know how to get to Australia and China from here but I'm sure it is too long a story for the threads.)

I have actually still been playing with the photo some (my mother wants the BOOK, not the cover. Thank goodness for blurb). The tricky part was trying to leave as many bluebonnets in the shot as possible also. I am also still not entirely sure about the top wire that I cropped out... If I come up with something that looks any better I will post it.