Night-Heron Breakfast

[WIlliam Maroldo]

SonyA700~Sony70-400G@400mm~Sony HVL-F56Am for fill-flash~ISO500~F5.6~1/1250 sec~Brazos Bend State Park, Texas~7-29-09
CS4/Topaz Adjust3(small detail preset)/Topaz Clean2
On a small pier railing, 9 AM, this yellow-crowned night-heron had quite a catch
comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill

[Dave Phillips]

nice nice Bill....I follow your technique pretty well and it surely works well

[Dave Mills]

Hey Bill, Colors are beautiful in this one and so is the catch! Your technique with the filters is very appealing.
Might give more space on the right. Another nice one!

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Thanks Dave. Actually I use the technique with B&W/edges to create different types of images. This one here was done by first using an image that is taken under low contrast light(shadows mess things up), with good detail resolution(no soft images). First I use Topaz Adjust 3, the small detail preset. Then I use "fade last command" to tone down the effect. Areas of the image with low detail are effected by noise being created(unless high-key). The history brush is used to deal with these areas. Then Topaz Clean2 is used to sort of smooth things out. Want to see more samples? Sorry, a few are strictly photos. http://myimageportfolio.com/BPN click on site index
regards~Bill

[Indranil Sircar]

This is excellent, William. I like the effect very much.

[denise ippolito]

Bill, Really nice work and thankyou for sharing your technique with us all. Your web-site has some fantastic images!!! I love the subtle use of the filters and you have really mastered the look! Nice pose with the catch. Details and exposure look great!!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

What a cool pic! How on Earth does it swallow that cray?

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Another great post Bill, thanks for the link to your site. You can see the evolution of your work in your pictures.

[Christopher Miller]

Very nice, Bill. Beautiful colors and pose. I'm loving your work!