Today's lesson that @taffy and I practiced was on blending modes, using brushes to darken/lighten, etc.. So here you see the original photo posted in March a year ago when @caterina took me to see a most spectacular sunset and I waited til the duck floated into the scene just between the poles. The second is my first attempt at using the "dissolve" feature of the blending brush. And the last is back into LR to lift shadows.
PS practice: layers, masking, blending, brushing, collage-making with free transform, background gradient fill, text and shaping of line.
I do love this composition. I’m not sure I have a favorite of the playing with light. I may ultimately prefer your first for the subtle color variations. Not that there has to be a favorite lol
@jgpittenger maybe I'm using the wrong term but I'm referring to the brush you choose and adjust the hardness/opacity/and brush style (like watercolor, etc. for texture) to "erase" away areas to which you've added dark or light.
Have a merry Christmas from us
merry Christmas, my friend. i hope you have a wonderful day today despite this lockdown.