Gatorland Gator
Another attempt at something different. Six images created at different focus points merged in PSCS4. I went for a high-key, high-contrast look here.
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 600mm
1/400 sec, f/7.1
Mode: Av
Metering: Evaluative
Exp comp: +1
ISO: 400
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Flash exp comp: +3
Images from this camera are so detailed.
Robert,
I was wondering at the depth of field you achieved before I read your text. I would have liked the eye portion to be brighter. At the moment, the eyes are drawn to the back of the gator as that is brighter than the eye portion. Your experimentations are on the right track.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
Good point Saby, thanks. I had brightener up the eyes but I will try lightening up the head and eyes to see how that works.
Haven't tried that feature in CS4 Robert. Did you have to do much tweaking to merge them or is it pretty automatic in the program? Maybe more defintion in the eye would make it look even more menacing. Great framing, like it off center as you have it presented.
Nice! I like the high-key approach here. One way to make the eyes the center of interest, fade the upper part so the head/eyes are the darkest and most saturated part of the image. I just applied a gradient from the top down, picking up the gray from that part of the image. Gives it a sort of "coming out of the fog" feel.
Jackie,Originally Posted by Jackie Schuknecht
I was following some blog's recommendations on how to do it but seemed more hands on then I expected. Not a problem from me but I want to research it more before commenting. When I get it worked out I will post something in the Education Forum. Thanks for your comments.
Dave,
I appreciate you taking the time to offer an interpretation but it is not the direction I wish to take the image. I want to maintain the contrast high and keep the back sharp. So considering Saby's comment earlier, I use a series of Curves adjustments and masks to darken the back, lighten the head, transition at the neck. I then selected the eyes, increased saturation and selectively sharpened them.
To me, this accentuates the head and eyes over the back and brings the center of interest back to the face.
Saby,
What do you think?
Nice work Robert, like the markings around the eyes.
Robert,
I like your repost a lot. great composition. Striking!
Neat shot Robert, it really accentuates the textures of the gator's skin.
Robert, I really prefer your original or David's repost, each on its own merit. I feel that in the repost, my eyes go straight to his back because of the contrast, really missing the eyes.
Thanks Fabs, I appreciate your input. I have been looking at my second version tonight while correcting some of the masking and decided I don't like it as much as the first but have another version I am working on now.
Last edited by Robert Amoruso; 03-14-2009 at 09:06 PM.
Would love to see it.
Did you use Helicon?
Auto-stacking in PSCS4. I messed up one of the mask and the back right behind the head is not as sharp as it can be so fixed that this evening and will work on a new version tomorrow which I have an idea for.
Although I can't say that your eyes aren't drawn to the back of the gator, I can say that it isn't always the brightest area of an image that naturally draws the eye. Rather, the place that contrasts most markedly with the surroundings is most likely to be what draws the eye.
When an image is dominated by lighter luminance values, the darker areas -- not the lighter areas -- are most likely to attract the eye. Try this as a test. What part of this image attracts your attention most strongly? In the pale values that dominate the gator image, I suspect that most people's eyes will be drawn to the darkest part.
Same principle here (deliberately exaggerated and not to suggest this as an edit):
Last edited by David Thomasson; 03-15-2009 at 01:40 PM.
David, great way to illustrate your point and a very valid one at that. Thanks!
Thanks David, I am sure many will find this thread illuminating as we are discussing tonal relations and how the eye is drawn around an image. Such as why the eye is now drawn to the back and not to the head? Because it is darker then the other areas of the image.
As I mentioned though did not elaborate on when responding to Fabiola , I had decided that I do not like the second version I posted. Why? Because my eye was drawn to the back since it is darker then the remaining tones in the image. I am now working on a new version to explore a different tonal relationship. I know that it was this relationship you where demonstrating in your first repost, however, I still do not like the softening of the back's sharpness as the point was to have sharpness from front to back.
Perhaps this image is not a good one to explore both a high contrast tonal range and extended DOF at the same time - to much sensory input.
Last edited by Robert Amoruso; 03-14-2009 at 09:16 PM.
More on this aspect of composition that some might find helpful.
Good link David. Thanks.
Robert,
Sorry for the late response. I feel your repost is better than your original. However, there is still some way to go. The back of the gator in the reflection is better than the previous one. However, as compared to the eye portion, the back is reflecting more light. That is bound to draw attention. The eye portion has to be brighter than the back.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
Robert, the repost is remarkable IMO. I love the color of the eyes on this stealthy, steely gray image!
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