Loon

[Nancy Bell]

I just returned from a 7-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Wilderness in northern Minnesota. The loons were the highlight of the trip and we were lucky one morning to find an obliging family of four to photograph. I did discover that photographing the loons with a canoe paddle in one hand and a camera in the other was challenging. Add my husband in the rear of the canoe, also with camera and paddle in hand, and you have the ingredients of a potential comedy! The loons would pop up all around the boat and we were constantly paddling to get the light to our back as well as aiming & focusing our cameras. All was well as we never tipped the canoe and did get some great images! For this image I used Pixel Bender oil paint on the loon and Topaz Simplicity 4 oil paint for the bkgd. I then created a frame.

[Judy Howle]

I love it!! Very nice filter work and edge. Lucky you, I think most of them are skittish around people, or at least I haven't seen many closeup photos of them. I wish I could see one, they are so striking. Maybe someday we'll travel up north and see them.

[Cindy Cone]

Beautiful painterly look, Nancy. I love the effect of the feathers on the back, and great work with the background. I had to smile envisioning you in your canoe, especially two people trying to focus and paddle. ( I switched to a solo canoe a number of years back; much
better for my relationship.) The BWCA is a special place. Look forward to more of your images from there.

[Diane Miller]

Beautiful effects for feathers and water. Well done! Sounds like you worked for it.

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you, Judy, Cindy and Diane. Cindy, I certainly can see the advantages of a solo canoe for photographing!

[Christopher Miller]

Love the clean, painterly effect, Nancy. Great pose too. Well done!

[Kerry Perkins]

Very nice Nancy, the loon is a difficult bird to photograph and portray. I like how your processing preserves and even highlights the subtle details in the head and upper neck. The colors look great, nice blue in the water and love that red eye. I would suggest taking a look at blending the artifact that oil paint made around the back of the neck and top of the head. Glad you had a good trip!

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you, Kerry. I saw that artifact after I posted . I also think the two dark areas of water touching the front of the loon need to be more subtle.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love the colours and the position of the bird in the frame. I might try and deal with that line that Kerry mentioned, but otherwise just lovely.