Blacksmith Plover Watercolor

[John Ippolito]

Blacksmith plover photographed in ephemeral lake
Ntwetwe Pan Botswana
Image made in late afternoon light through tall grasses.
2 applications of dry brush filter, layer mask with posterization and color adjustments. The partial posterization brought out the OOF grasses and the noisey spots that resemble a terribly dirty sensor (which I don't mind). It has a paint wash effect to it when printed on watercolor papers.
All comments and suggestions welcome.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi John,
I love everything about this image - the colours and reflection are to die for and you did a great job with the watercolour effects. I bet it looks sensational printed on watercolour paper...
Well done!
Regards,
Nicki

[denise ippolito]

John, I like it alot also-well done w/ the colors .It will be a beautiful large print!! So let's see ,you shoot killer Eagle shot in flight ,and now this-you are very talented!!!

[Alfred Forns]

Particularly like the feel and agree must be impressive looking printed on watercolor paper !!!

[Gus Cobos]

Excellent John,
The mood and feel on this one is over the roof...congrats...:cool:

[Julie Kenward]

It's the grasses that put this over the edge for me...they add such a depth and feel to the piece. Great stuff, John! Part of me wishes I could see a hint of an eye but I have a feeling if it were there I wouldn't like it so nevermind!

[John Ippolito]

I'm back! Been offline most of the week, but a new router did the trick.
Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement! I'm grateful for the input from so many talented and skilled folks on these forums.

[Fabs Forns]

Wow, very effective treatment, the colors are to die for and I also like the texture and the composition. Congratulations!