Backward view

[subhrashis]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs476.snc3/26077_1408411615353_1384344452_1072258_5084781_n.j pg

Fluid light

I tried to interpret the subject in both possible ways, i.e the gull flying into the light (Remember Jonathan Livingstone Seagull? I love Richard Bach!), and the 'retro' look of cross processing...

Please let me know if this works, and what could be done to improve it.

D5000,Sigma 18-200 @300 mm, pp crop, curves, usm

[denise ippolito]

First of all Big Welcome to OOTB! This is very cool. I like the shadows in the water. I might tone down parts of the gull that are bright. I wish the bird was a tiny bit more to the left and down. I also might evict the 4 small water drops that are to the left of the gull. I also might take a tiny slice off the top. Those are just minor points. But this is nicely toned for a retro look and the creative look is awesome. But these are just suggestions and it is your interpretation of the scene.:)

[Christopher Miller]

Welcome to OOTB, and lovely image to start out with. :) Love the retro color tones and excellent composition. Denise's repost improves it perfectly IMO.

[subhrashis]

Love the repost! Thanks a lot, Denise! The new framing makes for a better composition.

I will be updating the original according to your suggestions, ( It's just that i am not too comfortable with larger cloning s, it's one skill i am still to learn! ) I will post the new version as soon as I'm done.

Thanks Chris! This image is also OOTB to me in that it was taken at Varanasi, one of the most photographed, and photogenic places in India. Bird photos, however are not what one expects from Varanasi!

[Fabs Forns]

Big welcome to OOTB.

Of course I remember JLS, it's been my favorite book since it was published, it speaks wonders about the human soul.

I could go for both, the OP and the repost.

Looking forward to seeing more from you :)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Another big welcome, this time from the UK :)
Lovely first post - I particularly like the reflections. Look forward to seeing more.
Best,
Nicki

[subhrashis]

Thanks!
This is the edit...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs476.ash1/26077_1408718543026_1384344452_1073093_3814888_n.j pg

Not much different from the repost, just have revealed more details in it's head, cropped tight and added slight vignetting at lower corners...

[denise ippolito]

It looks good.

[Julie Kenward]

Lovely images, all of them! Yes, Richard Bach! JLS!!! What a wonder that was when it came out.

I especially like the colors of the water - it's almost a cross-processing effect. Beautiful!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Welcome to OOTB with a great image! I love your repost with the head revealed and I especially like the
reflections. It does remind me of JLS:)

[subhrashis]

Julie, this does have a cross processing effect put in via curves... this was my maiden try at cross processing!