I was playing with Pixel Bender and accidently turned this shorebird into a wooden carving - at least that's what it looks like to me. Then I put it in Fotosketcher and framed it.
Had a blast yesterday at Bolivar Mudflats crawling around on my belly pushing along my camera (mounted in a ground pod) and shooting shorebirds. Only problem is that these bones are too old to be crawling around. Sore all over today, but it was worth it. :)
12-04-2010, 07:02 PM
Indranil Sircar
This is really OOTB, Patti. What a fantastic effect! I love the side light and the gradient bg. The fluid motion of the feet is just beautiful. TFS.
12-04-2010, 07:09 PM
Julie Kenward
I agree...what a winner you have here! The fluidity of the bird is breathtaking and the BG sets it off perfectly. I feel like the eye is getting a little bit lost, though. Perhaps taking it to almost black and then adding a subtle catchlight would give it the emphasis it needs?
12-04-2010, 07:52 PM
Patti Edens
1 Attachment(s)
Thanks Indranil and Julie.
Julie, great idea. Thanks! I never think about that catchlight and it makes such a difference. In this case, I think it almost makes the little guy look scary, sort of from a different planet. But, I do like it a whole lot better. Not sure if I got it positioned right??
12-04-2010, 07:56 PM
denise ippolito
Awesome Patti!!! I love the repost. It's a little tight on the bottom but this really does look like a wooden bird. The BG and colors are dreamy. Very well done!!!:)
12-04-2010, 08:34 PM
Cheryl Slechta
Patti, I love it! The wood effect is so cool and the liquid look on the bottom is great. I really like the different layers of color in the background. :)
12-04-2010, 09:14 PM
Christopher Miller
Beautiful work, Patti! I love it! Love the pose of the bird, and it really does look like a wood carving. The painted BG is gorgeous too. Very well done! :)
12-04-2010, 11:08 PM
Bill Randall
Looks like a beautiful pastel painting. It all works very well
12-05-2010, 08:45 AM
Julie Kenward
Patti, I like the addition of the catchlight. I think you placed it right where I would have and its soft enough that it blends in nicely. I can see why you think it makes it look "alien" so it's your choice if you keep it or not. I really think it adds a nice touch!
12-05-2010, 01:01 PM
Patti Edens
Thanks Denise, Cheryl, Christopher and Bill. I appreciate the comments.
Julie, I will surely keep it. It looks a whole lot better to me with the catchlight. I like alien! :p Thanks so much for the suggestion and for letting me know that I added it correctly.
12-05-2010, 09:32 PM
Arthur Morris
Too, too cool. It really does look like wood. It needs a bit more room below and the shadowed side needs to be a bit lighter. I love the BKGR too. Aside from the wood my favorite part of the image is the swirling patterns in the sand.
12-05-2010, 11:53 PM
Jay Sheinfield
Add me to the love it column. The effect is so novel...........love the lighting. The catch light is a cool idea,
but its the only non-fluid element. Would you consider stretching it out ? Just a thought, very creative work Patti.
12-06-2010, 07:46 AM
Patti Edens
Thanks Artie and Jay. That's an interesting thought Jay. Maybe I should put in the catchlight and then run the Pixel Bender filter... Or just blur the catchlight myself. :) I'll try both if I can remember the PB settings.
Patti
12-06-2010, 06:04 PM
Andrew McLachlan
A little late to the party, digging out from about 1.5 feet of snow and more still falling. Absolutely love the repost Patti. Excellent work!
12-12-2010, 11:19 AM
Patti Edens
Thank you Andrew. Hope you are surviving the snowfall.