Favorite Perch...

[David Roach]

This is a favorite perch (dead Palmetto Palm) for Anhingas at Green Cay. On this particular day I spotted a live Palmetto with full efflorescence (bloom) in the right spot relative to the light on this beauty. The bloom is a beautiful cream color and I thought it would make an interesting background for a portrait image. What do you think? 1DMKIIN 400DO ISO 800 f10@1/512

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose and composition. I might blur the BG a bit to make it smoother.

[David Roach]

Thanks Axel!!! Exactly how do you blur the BG in Photoshop?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Choose the BG only and go to Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur. I used 2.0 pixels. Make sure your selection is not too close to the body of the bird. You'll get artifacts otherwise. Alternatively, you could use the noise removal tool.

Here is a quick touch-up to illustrate what I mean.

[David Roach]

Thanks, my man! Looks great!!! Can't wait to try myself!!!

[Stephen Stephen]

Nice portrait David. Axel's provided you with a good suggestion on the BG.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hello David,

Axel did it all once again. The second post is much better.