Ivory Gull

[Ilija Dukovski]

This is an exercise in PS rather than anything else.
It is a very large crop and lots of noise to start with.
Some 6 months ago I discarded it since I could not do anything
with it. I got back to it to test some of the edge feathering,
selective sharpening etc. that I've learned since.
I certainly could not get the crisp look of a contemporary
digital. The final look reminded me of a high ISO film photos
from decades ago.

I just wanted to share it with you, does it go back in the trash can?

Nikon D80 Sigma 180-500mm @ 360mm
Matrix AP -1 1/3 f/6.3 1/3200 ISO400

[Desmond Chan]

Thanks for sharing!

Allow me to present another option, which mainly I sharpened your original and increased the contrast. I also think some of the space on the right could be removed.

[Dave Phillips]

IMO IlIja, the blue should be made to look more natural and it will carry the image a long way.
Another option for you....I just never see the green/cyan like in repost above skies here in La :)
Also, I would not oversharpen....the softness is an enhancement IMO

For a heavy crop, you have good sharpness right on the beak....nice for a small webshot keeper

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the color of the sky in Dave's repost and might crop a bit off the right. If more sharpening could bring out some details then it would look even better.

[Stu Bowie]

Ilija, we always try and save our hard earned days out in the field. Great suggestions from the guys above.