Skimmer

Here's a Skimmer that I used Fractalius on. I masked the eye back in but I couldn't get any more definition. I probably need to go back to LR and start over with processing but I liked everything else about it so decided to post anyway.

Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated:S3:

Cheryl, what a wonderful image. Love the birds gesture and pose. I can see just a hint of a catch-light in the eye. Going back to square 1 is your call, I would give some lightening techniques a try. Lovely application of Frac. Well done!

Cheryl ....I would go back and see if alternative processing can bring that eye out more....I like the pose and the frac effects!

Cheryl,

Greetings. The eyes on skimmers are impossible. They seem like they should be in the white part :w3 . I like the frac effect that you have (usually not my cup of tea)...

For my, er, eye, I wouldn't worry about the eye.

Cheers,

-Michael-

Nice skimmer image, Cheryl. It is hard to get their eyes bright enough. I can see the catch light - maybe just try to lighten the eye a little and see if you can bring it out a bit more. It's a great image regardless and I really like the fract effect.

Hi Cheryl, I feel you used Frac nicely without overdoing it. Interesting pose and well placed within the frame. It would be a plus if the eye was more visible!

Cheryl, this is nice done...the subtle use of Fractalius makes the image stand out, particularly the application in the wing and tail feathers. Great job in preserving detail in the darker plumage, as well as in the sand..tricky exposure! The eye is problematic...but the rest of the work is outstanding.

Cheryl, I love this one, agree about lightening the eye and you should be able to just lighten the original and layer it over the processed image w/o having to redo the entire image. I love watching birds preen and capturing cool poses like this-awesome!:S3:

Cheryl, I'd love this image with or without frac effect, the birds pose rocks....the eyes on these birds tough to get right even in the best light...very well done

Hi Cheryl, love the pose and the fract work. It turned out lovely! Agree that a lightened eye would make it even better than it is. Nice work!

Cheryl, I think this is a great image and I wouldn't start over at all. I do think you could fix up the eye so it is more visible. For me, the eye is the most crucial part of a bird image. Many issues are overlooked if you have a good, sharp eye. I know you can do it! :c3: I love preening shots...

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll try to lighten the eye in LR - any suggestions on the best way to do it? I did try without success before I used fractalius - the blacks aren't blocked in the original image so I'm not sure the best way to proceed.:S3:

Cheryl, as I looked at this image, it dawned on me that the catchlight in the eye was one single pixel. While the whole image is wonderful to me, my eye is ultimately highjacked by that one single pixel. I took it into PS CS5 and used the dodge tool, set on highlights, and lightened that one pixel just a bit. I think it makes this image fantastic and I wouldn't really do anything else to the eye. I love it this way.

Kerry, thanks for the input. I actually had figured it out this weekend and here's the repost - hopefully it looks better.:S3: