Immature Tricolored Herons

[Cheryl Slechta]

This was taken at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. I used Nik Color Indian Summer to change the foliage to copper, then Topaz Black & White Toned Red 1 with a Quad toning and a slight transparency and a vignette.

Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated.:S3:

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I like your processing very much. The color toning is pleasing and I like the vignette. Poses and image design are lovely. Maybe just a bit tight on the bottom and I would evict the speckled area under the bill of the right bird if it were mine. I really like this fine piece of artwork!:S3:

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks, Denise:S3:

[Christopher Miller]

Cheryl, when I saw the thumbnail for this, my first thought was "Audubonesque." Very lovely image design, and I love the vintage color toning and vignette. It really looks like it could be an old bird painting. I agree with Denise that it looks a little tight on the bottom. Very well done! :S3:

[Arthur Morris]

Looks like a fine watercolor by a skilled artist. Love the effect. Knowing these birds well I would like to see the reddish brown in the plumage restored a bit. Ditto Lady D on the need for a bit more room (esp. below).

[Mitch Carucci]

Great processing. As others have said, reminds one of an Audubon print. Love it!

[Nancy Bell]

I like the minimalist look but would also like a bit more color to the herons. Great compostion with curved necks, long pointed bills and the airy framing foliage. Well seen and processed!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Christopher, Artie, Mitch and Nancy - thank you for your comments. I went back and looked at my workflow and the speckled area was due to a Fuji Neopan Presto film grain that I used in Topaz B&W as well as paper toning. I'll try to rework it with more of the heron's rusty colors showing through.:S3:

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for being open to our suggestions; I look forward to seeing the repost. :S3:

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Cheryl, love the poses of the two birds. Good suggestions already given, look forward to the repost!:S3: