I don't know GIMP, but looking on Google and following the first hit it looks like there is the command "Convert to Color profile" in the Image > Mode menu.

(I felt obliged to have a look as it was me making that remark.:blush

It's not a big deal, though for the orange competition it could make a difference in how saturated an image appears.
But you can easily check yourself if there is a difference when looking at the image in the GIMP or opening it with your internet browser.

Hope that helps,
Prieni

Well done, not gone over the top with these.
I agree with scottie that the second one is a bit blue and the grass is very green. I cannot help it but I like that

I also agree that the first one looks more natural. I think you could burn the sky on the top, left of the middle, right of the tree top, a little. There seems to be a bit of a halo around the tree top (which is easily produced by HDR).

Both very nice,
Prieni

Thanks Craig for having a go at this.
While I probably can see a point in doing the first one, the second one is awful. The colour is just off (this is a starbord light, it's green, not blue) and I don't see what you tried to achieve.
The first one is easily done by using curves and pulling the shadows into clipping (in the process losing all the hazy atmosphere and the wall in the lower right corner). You can see that by looking at the histogram of the original and your variation.
The gradient from the light outer wall of the lighthouse to the door looks much harsher in your version, too.
Is the original version too bright for you? Could it be that your monitor is set too bright (or mine too dark)?
It also seems that you have gone a tad more blue than the original.

I can see your point about noise, especially when I brighten up my original (if I leave it as is I don't see the noise, but it certainly is there).

So, while I appreciate your effort I'm not convinced that either one is a step in the right direction. Luckily tastes are different (would be boring otherwise) and I would be interested to learn what you like better in your variations.

Prieni

It's not over, yet. There is still a night to go... And maybe tonight's the night.

Prieni

Craig, no problem with that. Go ahead!

Prieni

P.S.: Whether with or without any watermarks, the copyright always is with the originator unless it is sold on.
I have done PP on some posted pics, usually with the understanding that it is ok to post and to take it down again on request. That hasn't happened so far (or at least I have not seen the request:blush

Martin,

no need to be sorry. I think this one is weaker than my submission.
It was a try, first I thought, "oh no, this digger will be in the frame, now I have to wait 2 minutes". Then I thought better of it and gave it a try.

And I also have mixed feelings about it. As it turns out the light trails are a nice feature but the composition could have been better. And that's why I chose the other one...

I did take another one concentrating on the 'star'. It may have a little too much room on the left, but it goes to show that the reflection in the water, nice feature as it is, does not need to be in the frame.
[IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/Prieni/16812062.jpg[/IMG]

Prieni

Difficult exposure, indeed. But you did well!
Are these birds cheaper if you buy them without being painted?
I think it's crying out for a b/w conversion...

Prieni

Here is what would have been my alternative entry. Taken from about the same position as the one I submitted but this one was taken with the Sigma 70-300.
[IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/Prieni/_PRI5914pu.jpg[/IMG]

The red/white/red light trails are from a dredger that was working in the harbour entrance to get the waterway back to design depth (the sand from the beach and wind and wave action are shoaling the waterway over time).

For me it was a close call between the two...

Prieni

Lilly,

that's a great site. There is one thing that I find a bit awkward, though. When I'm on the home page I don't see all that is on offer.

In the slideshow I don't get the 'whole picture', i.e. the lower eighth or so I cannot see. I have to scroll down slightly.
And only then do I see what else is there to discover.
If you would have the slideshow in landscape format it would be clear at first sight. (Downside is, of course, that you would have to use different photos. And I do love the ones I see there now. But I'm sure that you would find equally good ones in landscape format.)

Prieni

I know what you mean. The second I wrote that I had an idea that could work. You won't make anything without an idea but it has to be carried out well otherwise it'll never fly. And I don't know if I am prepared to invest so much time in it...

I'm looking forward to see if your idea is anything close to what I had in mind...

Go for it, Lilly!

Prieni