Feather

This is a delicate body feather from a Stellar's Jay. Every so often I'll find a pile of feathers as a jay succumbs to the harsher side of reality. I photographed this inside (it is still snowing here!) with a macro lens on a white bkgd. My goal was to create a delicate Asian brush-like image. Maybe it needs a chop like Pauls' recent Snowy Owl?

First layer was fractalius at a 48% darken blend to bring out the lines. A reduced layer of topaz simplify 4 buz sim b & w to simplify the image. Another layer with PS filter diffuse glow and a layer of Pixel Bender, oil paint.

Nancy, this is beautiful as are Stellar's Jays. I really like the Asian feel to this one and I like the combination of filters and the hint of their gorgeous blue. I think I'd crop a little from the left edge to remove that convex portion on the edge (probably a function of the PB?):S3:

Very nice image, the little hint of blue is perfect, well done..I am going to start looking for feathers soon...

The delicate, wispy bend reminds me of ballet or artistic gymnastic floor exercise. There are elements of strength, balance, and beauty. I like how it explodes from the bottom left and, then, floats. The blue is wonderful.

Soft, delicate, beautiful. Love that touch of blue. Very effective against the white bg. I like the editing. Did you put a frame or some such around it? It seems to distort things in the lower left corner.

Thanks everyone! There is no frame and I think Cheryl is correct in that pixel bender created that odd effect in the lower left corner. I think I'll crop it away.