Giant Petrel

[Nancy Bell]

Funny, but I cannot make complete sense of my processing notes . I noted using Topaz Adjust and something I refer to as b&w desaturate, but I could not find this in Topaz Adjust. Then 2 rounds of fractalius and I finished with Nik silver effex.

I found these huge birds interesting and was really excited to discover them resting on land and easy to approach on South Georgia Island.

[Anita Bower]

Wonderful angle to show off the beautiful feathers. The Petrel posed for you, showing off its unique profile, making for an excellent portrait. I like the processing and the placement of the bird slightly to the left. I would eliminate the gray blotches in the upper background. Very nice image.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Nancy, this is a beautiful black and white. I don't mind the blotches in the background because I think they give some context of land. I think I'd tone down the darkest one on the right and maybe darken just a bit the line in the crook of his neck so that it doesn't blend in with the white background. Lovely theme image

[Dennis Bishop]

You've achieved something almost miraculous by turning what I think of as a grotesque and nasty bird (not through personal experience, just an impression from other photos) into something almost huggable. The feathers are wonderful. I could see lightening the gray blotches that Anita mentioned, but I don't think I'd want to get rid of them.

[Nancy Bell]

Thanks Anita, Cheryl & Dennis for your thoughtful comments. I hadn't really focused on those gray blotches and making them lighter is a good idea. Cheryl, you commented on exactly what caught my eye when I viewed the petrel here, that the inside bend of the neck needs to be more obvious.

[Paul Lagasi]

I've always thought these birds were the Ugly ducklings of the Petrel Family, not much color, bulbus nose and they feed on carrion. You've really managed to make this one look nice, love the black and white high key effect, I would remove the grey areas above and to the right of his bill. Very well done

[Nancy Bell]

Thanks Paul! After watching these giant birds I found they are real characters, a bit like a big boisterous family at a picnic. And in the air they are true masters of wind and water. Of course, they are not handsome like the albatrosses nor do they wear the dapper tuxedo of the penguins!

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Nancy, nice job indeed of making a lovely portrait of a tubenose! I like the stark contrast and the abundance of white, very nice. Are you thinking of the "desaturated blush" presets in Topaz Detail?

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you Kerry! Clearly I used a "desaturated" something and Topaz is usually where I go. So you could be right.