Hi, Grace - not sure what you think of this. Duplicated the image onto a new layer. Adjusted levels to brighten up the bird and then used a layer mask to reveal it against the original BG
Very interesting image, and for some reason it just doesn't work. I think that although I realize it was foggy, the image looks like just a standard poorly focused and badly exposed image.This has nothing to do with technique or anything other than the fog. I think Tony had the right idea, in that even if there is fog, the subject must be sharper. Unfortunately Tony (in my opinion) was unable to resurrect the image. I've always felt that images that incorporate "atmosphere" are in a class by themselves, and, as we see here, are not that easily done. Nonetheless I think that the attempt was worth taking. regards~Bill
Last edited by WIlliam Maroldo; 09-17-2008 at 11:36 PM.
I find the above critique insulting and unnecessary and not what I thought this board was about at all. I'm not going to defend my work here, just let it be said that I was trying something different and looking for some tips, on how to be more effective in situations like this. The words used here are harsh and nasty in tone and I really don't see much need for anyone to have their postings, no matter how good or bad treated in this manner.
Last edited by Grace Scalzo; 09-18-2008 at 08:42 PM.
Reason: Toned down what I really wanted to say!
Grace: I'm very sorry if it sounded insulting, and please don't think I represent anyone else here. It was merely an opinion, and that of just one person. When I wrote it I didn't think it was insulting, or that it was harsh or nasty, but if you think so, it is quite possible you are correct, and I'm sorry. It was not my intent. I said I thought the image was worth attempting. I said it wasn't technique, but the fog. The fact that you tried something different is to be commended, the fact that some one else thought it didn't work is of course an opinion. This is a critique forum, I thought, and although it might have been a "harsh" critique, I was dealing strictly with an image, and not you personally, Grace. I did deal with how I thought it might be improved; by having the subject being sharper.
I find the main usefulness of this website is learning to critique my own images, and it has proved invaluable. Reading critiques by others on my own images is part of this, and suggestions to place one of my images in the recycle bin has been suggested, or that it is a hopeless cause for one reason or another. I personally appreciate the candor, and even though I may not agree, I don't take it personally. Some images are successful, some dismal failures. I generally post images that I have serious problems with. If I want praise I don't expect to get it here (not that I don't appreciate it). There are other websites where one can get plenty of pats on the back but no critique that will help one to be a better photographer.
Grace, I assure you I will never critique any of your images again, if that is your wish (and I'm pretty sure it is). regards~Bill
Last edited by WIlliam Maroldo; 09-19-2008 at 07:19 PM.
Actually, Bill, I'm over it. You are right with your ideas, that I do not disagree with. It just came across in a way that you most likely did not mean. So critique me any time, I think it was just the written word causing us problems here. I see from your location that you are in Houston....hope that Ike was not too hard on you.
Thanks Grace, I feel better. Funny you mention the hurricane. It hit pretty hard, and even though I lived through Alicia in '83, this was worse. I was writing your critique in the dark, with an old laptop with a battery that was just about to run out of juice. No electricity, AC, ice, gasoline, and worse than anything else; warm beer. Yech! Luckily we got electricity in this part of Houston yesterday, and gasoline is available today with lines that aren't too bad. What really is the worst is that my prime bird photography areas (Surfside, Quintana, Brazoria) got slammed, and once they open up the roads and I can check it out, I sure hope the bird population wasn't decimated. regards~Bill
Great Blue Heron in thick fog
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