Whatcha lookin at??

[Judy Howle]

It snowed this morning, woohoo! I made a lot of pics including birds, shooting out the open window which was a bit chilly. I thought this was a cute pose despite being from the rear. I used Nik Tonal Contrast, Oil Paint filter in CS6 and then used Topaz Detail, cloned out branches and painted on background among other things

[Indranil Sircar]

Unusual and an interesting composition, Judy... certainly OOTB! I really like how all the elements have come together. The rim light is wonderful as is the detail on the feathers. The bg makes it stand out. TFS.

[Dennis Bishop]

Wonderful composition and the bird and branches really contrast nicely with the background.

. . . and painted on background . . .

Could you tell us more about that? I assume you added some brush strokes to the background that you captured when you took the photo.

[Hazel Grant]

Yes, so cute.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Indranil and Hazel!

[Judy Howle]

Wonderful composition and the bird and branches really contrast nicely with the background. Could you tell us more about that? I assume you added some brush strokes to the background that you captured when you took the photo.

Thanks Dennis. No I didn't add brush strokes, I just "airbrush" painted over spots I couldn't get to look perfect when cloning out branches and I toned down the really light spots in the background including a few bright falling snowflakes but I left the ones on the right side.

[Dennis Bishop]

Thanks Dennis. No I didn't add brush strokes, I just "airbrush" painted over spots I couldn't get to look perfect when cloning out branches and I toned down the really light spots in the background including a few bright falling snowflakes but I left the ones on the right side.

I think those snowflakes you left are very effective in guiding the eye.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hey, Judy, it's an adorable pose. I love what the oil paint did to the image

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Cheryl! It looked a bit flat after I added Oil Paint until I used Detail and it really popped out the details.

[Kerry Perkins]

Judy, this is really cute and I like the treatments you used. Is that a female cardinal? Love the "unorthodox" pose and how the white of the snow echoes the white of the bird, or is it vice versa? I might clone out the bit of branch showing above the left foot of the bird.

[Paul Lagasi]

Cute, made me laugh. Love the effect

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Kerry and Paul!