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Thread: Standing Tall and Proud

  1. #1
    Glenda Simmons
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    Default Standing Tall and Proud

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    This is my beautiful backyard resident male Eastern Bluebird. I had my tripod set up for where I thought he might land on this flowering branch. But instead, he landed on the very bottom of the branch, his weight pulling him and the branch down, almost out of the frame. It was like a bungy jump, catching me and the bluebird by surprise. He composed hiself and his balance, giving this "standing tall and proud" pose.

    I am at the very beginning with learning how to use photoshop, but did figure out how to add a little canvas at the bottom, otherwise the "Canvas police" would have busted me, for sure.:o I did nothing to the colors. This is the true blue color on this bird as the sun was luminating his feathers. I think the flowers could be sharper, but I have not done selective sharpening, yet. (so much to learn) Also think the tail is still picking up a little movement from his landing. I would be most interested as to how to improve this image, as I progress with my photoshop skills, because, for me, this is one of my best shots of my Bluebirds.

    (Just an added note: In one more week, I will be seeing four more Bluebird nestlings in a record # 4th Brood for this pair, this season)

    Canon Revel XTi with 75-300mm lens at focal length of 200mm. aperture priority 7.1, 1/800, ISO 200

  2. #2
    Wally Nussbaumer
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    Well done Glenda. Nice that you added a little canvas at the bottom, but it is noticable. You might try the "healing" brush at about 60% to blend the green and beige strips. Nice detail on the bluebird.

  3. #3
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Great pose, perch and BG. Adding canvas was a good idea. You could try to lighten the area around the eye to get more details. How did you sharpen the bird? This image has so much potential, I'm sure it can be improved even more.

  4. #4
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    Nits were already mentioned. Excellent composition.

  5. #5
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    Glenda this is beautiful! not only because this is a new species for me but because you did great! the head angle is very good and the natural colors are fantastic, as mentioned above the sharpening and noise reduction could do/make wonders here, (this is such a hard language!) but don't worry because I am also learning and it takes time in front of the screen! Great job, I want to see more!

  6. #6
    Glenda Simmons
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    Thanks for the input Wally and Axel. I did not notice the effects of the added canvas, but now see what you are referring to, Wally. I will give your suggestion a try. It has been awhile since I worked on this photo, Axel, but believe I sharpened with the unsharp mask in elements 6. I now have photoshop 7.0. Still don't know much about either. I have ordered Artie's instructional CD, which I'm sure will help.

  7. #7
    Vincent Grafhorst
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    Excellent photo Glenda! Others have covered the nits and given very good (PS) advice. Good luck with mastering PS, coz that can definitely improve your images.

  8. #8
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    This is a wonderful image, the perch and the bird compliment each other nicely. It is a little unfortunate that the flowers are right off the bottom of the tail and I don't know that there is anything to do about that but it is a bit distracting. You have some very nice colors here.

  9. #9
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    Wonderful composition Glenda and a great BG to compliment this beautiful capture. Very fine work !!!

  10. #10
    Glenda Simmons
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    Thanks so much for the kind words and good photoshop suggestions. I will be working on learning those photoshop skills.

  11. #11
    Forum Participant Manos Papadomanolakis's Avatar
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    Nice looking bird with great pose,colors and bg!

  12. #12
    Tell Dickinson
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    Lovely shot of a lovely bird Glenda, and the blossom really adds to it :) I too can see where the canvas has been added at the bottom but thats easily rectified. I not sure if this will help or not, but I would also try adding just a smidgen of canvas to the top and see if you like that better.

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