Brad Becker
July 2026 - Signal
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
This image was created by layering two images from the Andes during a post rain cloudy sky. I wanted to add a story and the addition of a bird added a subject and the fire added a focus for the bird. I chose to mute the tones to make the image a bit more stark. What do you think?
12 comments posted
H Brad, I love the purposeful flight of the bird through the misty "Lord of the Rings" scenery - he is certainly carrying a vital message. I think that layering the two mountain images creates an extraordinary deepness in the background. The warm glow of the signal fire and the blue hues of the birdīs plumage against the monochrome sky and mountaintops give intensity to the story. - I wonder if it would be possible to open the blacks in the upper part of the left wing and head just a bit, to make the outline of the wing slightly clearer, and maybe show something of the eye? Posted: 07/09/2026 05:04:53
Kirsti, An excellent suggestion! Thanks. Posted: 07/19/2026 03:44:47
Hi Brad,
I really like the juxtaposition of the mountain ranges and the beautiful gradation of tones, which gently guide my eye through the image and encourage me to explore all of its subtle details. The dark silhouette of the bird provides a strong focal point and anchors the composition beautifully.
The small fire is a particularly powerful element. The fact that it is the only source of colour in the image immediately draws attention to it and makes it feel far more significant than its size suggests. To me, it conveys a sense of concern for nature and the fragility of life.
The fog ties everything together wonderfully, adding atmosphere, depth, and a sense of mystery. It is a beautifully composed image. Posted: 07/15/2026 07:11:55
I really like the juxtaposition of the mountain ranges and the beautiful gradation of tones, which gently guide my eye through the image and encourage me to explore all of its subtle details. The dark silhouette of the bird provides a strong focal point and anchors the composition beautifully.
The small fire is a particularly powerful element. The fact that it is the only source of colour in the image immediately draws attention to it and makes it feel far more significant than its size suggests. To me, it conveys a sense of concern for nature and the fragility of life.
The fog ties everything together wonderfully, adding atmosphere, depth, and a sense of mystery. It is a beautifully composed image. Posted: 07/15/2026 07:11:55
Maria, Thanks. I had a few versions with people and other elements and found the fire with the bird was better at implying a story. Posted: 07/19/2026 03:46:10
What a stunning image! The misty mountains of your first original are amazing on their own, and truly spectacular with the addition of the mountains that are further away. I love the tonality of this image, from the light patches of fog through the deep shadows.
The bird is a great addition. I can imagine that I hear its caws echoing through the mountains.
I love the colors of the fire against the stark b&w of the rest of the image.
To me, the fire feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the image. I would consider adding a bit of smoke, and maybe have the bird angling down towards the fire if you want a connection between them. Posted: 07/17/2026 16:24:09
The bird is a great addition. I can imagine that I hear its caws echoing through the mountains.
I love the colors of the fire against the stark b&w of the rest of the image.
To me, the fire feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the image. I would consider adding a bit of smoke, and maybe have the bird angling down towards the fire if you want a connection between them. Posted: 07/17/2026 16:24:09
Peggy, Great suggestions, they do add to the image, thanks. Posted: 07/19/2026 03:49:04
Peggy, Can you share how you created the smoke? I've played around with some cloud images but like the feel of what you did. Posted: 07/20/2026 01:36:17
To be honest, I'm not exactly sure of the details. I know I used the clone stamp with a brush with modified shape dynamics. Looking at my brush history, it may have been the classic soft round brush with size jitter = 32%, angle jitter = 25%, roundness jitter = 43%, minimum roundness =25%. Or it might have been another brush that has segments (like leaves), with similar shape dynamics.
The clone source was one of your foggy mountains. I chose one that was a midtone that would show up against the background, and lowered opacity.
I also changed the brush size and did several paths of the smoke going upwards.
Hope that helps. I wasn't really paying attention, just sort of winged it.
Posted: 07/20/2026 10:34:43
The clone source was one of your foggy mountains. I chose one that was a midtone that would show up against the background, and lowered opacity.
I also changed the brush size and did several paths of the smoke going upwards.
Hope that helps. I wasn't really paying attention, just sort of winged it.
Posted: 07/20/2026 10:34:43
Thanks Peggy! Posted: 07/20/2026 19:22:58
This image is so strong that it elicited quite a lot of comments. I agree with all of them except 1. Personally, I find the fire distracting. The bird appears to have food in his mouth and as a result doesn't need the fire as a focus. I feel the fire draws the viewer's eye away from a well rendered bird. In any case, the mountains are certainly blended well which we've all come to expect from you. Posted: 07/19/2026 15:38:06
Alan, The "food" is just the angle of the wing. I wish I had a cleaner image of that bird but I don't. For me the fire adds a story that a subtle story which I feel may draw the reader into the image some. I only added it later and I can understand how the image without it has strengths too. Posted: 07/20/2026 01:32:55
The "food" raises an interesting POV discussion about the artist's intent and the viewer's perception. In some of the "About the Image" remarks in our group, I feel the artist explains too much of what the intent is. This makes it difficult for the viewer to have a fresh take on the image. It would be informative if, in a particular month, there were no "About the Image" comments, other than technical ones, to see what the viewer sees without a prompt. Posted: 07/20/2026 12:52:30