Pacific Loon on Tundra Pond V2

[Grace Scalzo]

Here is another image that I would like to share with you of this beautiful bird in her habitat. I did much work in post processing as the original was very dull. I loved the moody, foggy feel with just a hint of light and worked to bring that out. Removed some elements, raised the exposure, added some fog, selectively saturated some colors, etc. I plan to print this on a textured paper. Any input that you have would be appreciated.

Thank you,

1/400, f 5.6, iso800
Canon 1dx, 600 f4 + 1.4tc + rrs tripod

[Richard Flack]

Grace, that is a really beautiful, serene image. Minor thing but IMO the bird just feels a little to far forward in the image. Any chance you can add more canvas in front or zoom out a bit (I totally understand why you have done it as you want the whole tree in the image). But awesome nonetheless!

[Grace Scalzo]

Richard, Thank you for your thoughtful suggestion. I do have more room in front. What do you think?

[Daniel Cadieux]

I had the same thoughts as Richard, and the repost is really something to be fully proud of. The "tree" really balances the composition nicely and you've achieved a nice overall mood to the image with the tasteful processing. Yep, textured paper would look good....and a big canvas print.

[Richard Flack]

That is really stunning Grace (glad I could help after all the help I have been given on this forum :)). Well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Grace this is a beauty, I would even add a little bit more space to the RHS, but I love the atmosphere, what a super canvas this will make, hey you could make a fortune out of this!

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the feel, setting and composition in the repost. Beautiful image Grace!

[Joseph Przybyla]

I love it Grace, wonderful feel to the image. I prefer the re-post better. Thank you for sharing.

[Robert Kimbrell]

What a nice setting, well processed, I also prefer the repost.

[Bill Dix]

Great mood, spectacular bird. Repost is an improvement. A real beauty of an image.

[Tim King]

Yummy photo, Grace. I love the composition of the bird and shrub. Fine job.

[arash_hazeghi]

This is excellent Grace, looks like a painting with light tones and a nice display of habitat. I might adjust the blacks a bit, they can go darker

Congrats

[Iain Barker]

Amazing image Grace. My first thought was that the bird was a bit central but your repost has fixed that and I can't fault it.

Well done

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks to all of you who commented, and those who looked as well. I do appreciate your positive response to this image as well as your constructive suggestions, which I will most definitely incorporate into the final version. A friend of mine who is excellent at printing is at work on it, we will make the final tweaks, and then I'll frame it and enjoy it. Jonathan, any ideas on how I could make that fortune that you refer to will be greatly appreciated. :) Thanks again.

[Shawn Zierman]

Such a unique image of this species. The tree/shrub is just too good to be true, and yet it is. Delightful artistic frame Grace.

[gail bisson]

Grace,
You already know how much I like this shot but I have to ask- how do you add fog to a picture?

[Marina Scarr]

This is truly a stunner, Grace. I am not sure whether I prefer this image or the last one of the same species you posted. I think this one is more unique and painterly. I do prefer the RP and agree with Arash. I would darken the blacks on the bird's back just a little. I am waiting for the "how do you add fog" answer as well.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thank you again, Shawn, Marina, and Gail. I bet that there are many ways to add fog. I simply used the Nik Tonal contrast filter and selected "Fog" which brings up a dialog box which you can then tweak to your taste. I'm looking forward to seeing this in print and will then make a final version for print and a separate one for web viewing, based on the blacks. Again, thank you. This was a beautiful bird and environment, a true pleasure to photograph. If you read my comments in the American Golden Plover frame, the group that I was with was very aware that this was a nesting bird and while I'm sure we disturbed her by our very presence, we used our best judgement and tried to minimize our distrubance by making several short visits.

[Satish Ranadive]

This is gorgeous image with wonderful 3D effect. Re post is great. Once you finish your printing, let me know,I will send my postal address to you..

Regards,
Satish.