Soft Portrait

Nikon D300 200-400VR 1.7TC ISO800 f/6.7 1/400 HH

Fresh Spring colors abound. I caught this Bluejay peeking at me though the foilage. I left it "as is" in RAW with no corrections. I added 80 points of Vibrance, cropped it and left it soft.

Bill, I might take a small slice off the top if it were mine. I also think the OOF branch and leaves add to the look you were after. I would still like to see a sharper eye-but I understand your thoughts.

Thanks Denise. I liked the soft focus with the soft light. I will take a look at the eye and crop. Sometimes it is difficult for me since I print to 12x18 and that gives me constraints.

I do like the soft look of the foliage but after that this one looses me. Especially the big o-o-f branch and leaving the bird soft... If you are after a soft look maybe some Gaussian blur would help.

Thanks Denise, you nailed it for me. I see your point (no pun intented). Thanks for the help.

Denise, after taking your suggestion, I decided to push the thought just a little more and sharpened up the white near the eye. Thanks again - Bill ;)

Bill, I like your first repost a bit better-it seems to stay w/ the soft theme more IMO.:)

Hi Bill - I like the first repost too. The sharper eye and slice off the top helped the image a lot.

A little over the top eh? Now I have to decide. Hmmm. Thanks you guys, you have been a great help.

Bill, I prefer the first repost also.:)

FINI. Back to the eye only. Recroped slightly. Soften the OOF branch. Selective black +3. What slight changes. What a fragile balance.

Have a nice Sunday everyone. I'm going Osprey hunting. :)

OK, I lied

Looks good Bill:)