Whimbrel

Greetings. One of the things I like about Topaz Simplify (other than the very cool buzsim) is the line drawing along contrast edges. The presets need some work to get just what I want but I like it as a base tool. Trying for a graphic look here.

Attachment 157366

Variety of Topaz Filters with a Nik SEP beginning in monochrome. DeNoise, Simplify, Clean, Detail, Adjust.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

-Michael-

The background colors, while unobtrusive, nicely complement the bird. The hint of blue on its breast is very effective, too. I like the balance between the soft background and curved shape of the whimbrel on one hand, and the contrast of the feathers and the extra energy associated with the angle of the body on the other.

I use the lines in Topaz Simplify in all my images, and I've found that I have more success in applying the base effect (my saved watercolor preset) by itself with no lines on one layer and adding the lines in Multiply blend mode (sometimes, Divide, as well, for white lines) on a separate layer.

Hi, Michael, lovely image for the reasons above and also because it's a Whimbrel:S3: I'd like to see just a little more definition (maybe lighter) between the upper bill and the bg. Does that make sense? I love the gradations of color in the background.

Dennis,

Thanks much for the comment. That's more or less how I've been using the lines in Simplify. My normal workflow takes me through Nik SEP to work the luminance separately from color. Often I work the lines in a separate monochrome layer before blending. So something like SEP, duplicate, luminance blend 1st SEP copy, Simplify 2nd luminance copy, blend (choice - luminance, multiply, overlay, soft light), adjust opacity. Haven't used divide but will keep that in mind.

Cheryl,

Yeah. Mostly, the bill is oof and the lines helped give the definition that there is. perhaps a little additional toning would work. Thanks. This was taken at a beach near Morro Bay, CA. Mostly Whimbrels, Sanderlings, and a few Snowy Plovers the last couple of times I was there, oh and Marbled Godwits.

Cheers,

-Michael-

Cool! Great BG and amazing feather work. They must have a lot of trouble preening with a bill like that.

Excellent processing Michael! I like the definition of the feathers and the colors are beautiful.

The feather detail is really nice, as is the curve of the bill. What time of day did you shoot this?:S3:

Diane, Judy, Jackie,

Thanks much for your comments. Jackie, I took this shot very close to sunset. I must admit that much of the feather detail is contrast line drawing via Topaz Simplify. Just enough in the original photo to pull up and accentuate with line drawing, local contrasting (the line drawing) and detailing.

Cheers,

-Michael-

Beautiful lighting on the whimbrel and fabulous saturated colors in the bkgd! You must have been quite close to the bird! When I first looked at this I was puzzled about the head angle as the brightness puts your focus on the top and back of the head. The bill is so much in darkness that you really have to look for it. Even though it is OOF, I would experiment with putting more lightness there.