Sparrow

I really like experimenting with Topaz photoFXlab. It allows you to have all ten plugins at your disposal at once and to apply them in layers with styles, just like PS. It has brushes and masks, and in fact with this software you can do layer work in Lightroom. I used several layers with masks on this image, painting the effects in and out as needed. The final touch was a blur vignette in Nik CFXP.

Oops, forgot to mention the Radial Filter in LR5, which I used to isolate the light on the sparrow!

Kerry, I like the soft look with the emphasis on the sparrow. I need to start using PhotoFXLab - it sure would cut down on the time. (I like the Radial filter in LR!).:S3:

Good experiment! For me it's a birds-eye-view of a bird! The blurring of the bkgd allows all those lines and shapes to recede just enough to provide habitat and interest but not overwhelm the white-crowned sparrow. My first thought was the bkgd seemed just a bit too gray and made me think of adding back a tiny shot of vibrance to select areas. But then maybe that would distract from the sparrow too much.

Hi Kerry, I really like this composition and the results of all your effects for the background. The soft greens are perfect to make the white crown really stand out. As Nancy said, just enough to show the habitat. The placement of the different kinds of bushes/leaves makes for a very nice framing effect. Well done.

Nice emphasis on the sparrow, Kerry. I like the soft blur on the BG. Well done.

I like the habitat because it shows how tiny these birds are. The sharp and soft contrast is cool.