Dowitchers Dynamic Duo

[Jon Rista]

This is a rework of my original post here. I've taken suggestions into account, cleaned up the BG, cloned out a few areas of the BG as well as cleaned up the foreground a little bit to improve the clarity of the reflections. This version is cropped down to about 8.5x11 size/ratio. I'll be giving a horizontal version a try...I'll post that version as a reply as soon as I get it cleaned up.

Canon 7D w/ EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
1/640s @ f/7.1 ISO 400 (Evaluative metering)

Changes since last post:
- Removed branch from RHS background: CA patch tool, spot heal
- Removed additional noise from background: Lightroom brush tool
- Removed small twig from in front of birds: spot heal
- Cleaned up reflection of birds in foreground: spot heal
- Cropped a lot of the foreground (up to reflection)
- Cropped a small amount off the top

[Sanjeevprakash]

Great Work,Jon.Definitely Love the color in the BG and the Dual walking pose of the Birds.Nice sharp details.TFS.Would love to see a Horizantal Version.

[Randy Stout]

Jon:

i missed the original, but went back and looked at it as well.

For me, the strength of the image is in the poses and the colors of the water, and I would def. go horizontal as mentioned by Gail in the previous post. The reflection is distorted and doesn't add much, so if the IQ will tolerate, would def. crop up even more from below, and then depending on how much you have on the left, crop a balancing amount off the top.

Cheers

Randy

[Miguel Palaviccini]

I like the repost a bit more, but will agree with Randy and Gail about cropping even further from the bottom if you can. Looking forward to the horizontal version!

[Jon Rista]

Here is my first attempt at a horizontal. There is a lot of that harsh reflection along the bottom in this shot, as well as a lot of "debris". I tried to eliminate the mud, without any luck. I think I probably need to tighten the crop a bit, but outside of that, comments, critiques, and processing tips are welcome.




Edits:
- Same cleanup of the BG as in the tall version
- Cleaned up several twigs and their reflections on the LHS
- Levels and Curves adjustment layers to add some pop

And here is a tweaked version of the tall one, with the crop shifted to remove more of the bottom edge, and restore more of the background above.



Edits:
- Crop adjustment
- Levels and Curves adjustment layers to add some pop

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Jon, I can't decide between the two! I would consider a tighter crop from the bottom on both. Right above the reflection of the beak should do it!

[Jon Rista]

Thanks Miguel. I agree about the crop, and it works great with the wide version. I am having a hard time cropping the tall version, as it is becoming almost square. I'd say it is about 4x5 ratio when I crop the bottom to the tip of the bill reflection, and pull down the top a little (have to pull down the top, otherwise it looks too offcentered.)

[gail bisson]

Hi Jon,
I think the horizontal is the way to go on this one but I would crop the bottom even more. I still feel it needs a bit of CW rotation as well.
I would increase the overall exposure by .10 and reduce the midtones in levels a bit as well.
This might be a good image for the digital workflow exercise,
Gail

[Jon Rista]

Here is the final version. I've cropped it as much as I think it can bear. I want to thank everyone for your helpful input! :)

@Gail: Where do I go for the digital workflow exercise?

(I actually rotated it just a tad CCW. I based my opinion on what properly "level" was based on the ripples radiating from their feet...which actually looked a bit crooked. The ripples in the background are at an angle to the birds, but I think if I rotated to make them level, the whole thing would look very non-horizontal.)

[Dan Brown]

Very nice, Jon! I like your OP here. It's personal preference but I think your final version is a little over saturated for me. Good work!

[Jon Rista]

I'm not really sure where that extra saturation came from in the final version...I noticed it too once I uploaded, and I did not notice it before. I actually liked it a bit softer toned myself.