Straited Heron

[Gary Kinard]

I wanted to post this to get some CC from this site.
The background was very busy. I completely changed it to my liking?
300mm + 1.4, F/5.6, 1/50 I think.

Starting to enjoy PS.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/14107741591_71b6f42e5f_b_d.jpg

[Diane Miller]

Oooohh! You changed it to my liking, too! Good job! Sharp and a beautiful exposure. Did it swallow the poor frog whole?

How did you do the selection? Topaz ReMask is usually my go-to for precise or difficult selections, although often I can get away with PS's Quick Selection tool.

[Hazel Grant]

I agree with Diane. The blurred backgound makes the eye see the bird and poor frog. I'd like to know how you did the masking, too.

[Iain Barker]

I love this image and wouldn't change anything. I think that your square crop also works in this case.
The image looks very sharp for 1/50 sec at 420mm are you sure it wasn't faster than that?

[Gary Kinard]

Diane, Iain, Hazel Ok, I liked it also. But am just starting to use layers. I have in the past but not to this extent. And I have a lot to learn.
Used only Photoshop. Spent about 45 minutes on this one. Picked the colors by trial and error.
This is with the 300II + T.C. The IS on that lens is very good. Resting on my knee, hand held is not a problem at these focal lengths for me.

Diane, I have just recently installed Topaz and learning it slowly.

Never got the frog down.... While I was there. :)

Have a good one, Gary

[Diane Miller]

Have you seen the tutorial I posted on layers? A little basic understanding gives you wonderful control. See the stickies at the top of this forum.

What a waste of a good frog! :w3

[Gary Kinard]

Yep. I read it Diane. Nice article. Thanks

What a waste of a good frog! :w3
Living in the jungle for the last few years. I can tell you for sure. It was not wasted.
I used to think the same thing.

Gary