It would not be possible, I think, to offer a comprehensive catalog of this photo’s shortcomings. They are legion, so much that I have refused to offer larger resolution versions and provide a snapshot that runs together each of three iterations: original, with paint daubs, with watercolor.
The horizon falls almost exactly at midline. Strike one.
The backlighting creates a weird little blue phantasm that I am quite sure does not inhabit any of our city parks. Strike two.
Too much sky; too little of any (really, is there any at all?) interest in the landscape. The intrusion of leaves of some unfortunate tree makes me feel like I want to brush hair out of my eyes. Strike three, four, and five. Oh, dear. Too bad we’re not bowling.
Predictably, the paint daubs filter lightens the brightest part of the path. The watercolor filter is probably even now fomenting and organizing rebellion among his fellows. He feels grossly abused to have been used, however unintentionally, to add a small Thomas Kinkade-like ray of light on the path.
If ever I need to offer an example of how many things can go desperately wrong in one little picture...
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