Yellow -rumped warbler

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Canon 7D & 500MM f/4
HH
1/4000
f/4
ISO=400
Manual exposure set with light meter

LRII--->CS4 (Multiply 15% tone done highlights)---->Topaz Remask and Topaz Shapen 3.0 (downloaded trial versions).

[Jay Gould]

Hi Jeff, definitely sharp and a neat image. Needs a tiny CCW tweak. How did you use the Remask in this image? Thanks,

[Jeff Cashdollar]

The Remask tool allows one to easily extract am image and automatically puts in on a layer in PS. It simple and I enjoy it much more than working with selection tools in PS. Keep in mind, I am still playing with it and I have only completed two images. The main reason for the test drive on this tool was the fearthers and fine detail around the neck on my last image, were to much for me to master with selection tools. So I researched technology to help selection processes with fine detail like this, hence I found the Remask tool.

I have the application as a plug-in to CS4 and it is assessable under the FILTER>menu. The interface has a set of tools, one of them is brushes. The blue brush (can set brush size like CS4) is used to brush on and highlight the edges of the subject you want to extract, do not have to be real precise in the process. The technology fills in the gaps. Then, the extracted image is integrated into layer and you and can add other layers and layer masks to fill in the BG or tweak the image. I stack the layer like so:
Layer with layer mask (this has the original extracted image)
Copy (this is the layer I clone the BG, remember, when I extracted the image I removed the BG in this case)
Copy 1

Hope this help, the application references some neat vides that explain the entire process much better than I can, neat technology.

[kostas nianiopoulos]

Hi Jeff , good image man , sharp and good color . well done

[Gail Spitler]

Hi Jeff - I think I want the image that is somewhere in between this one and the previous version. This one seems a bit dark. In the original post, the brown color, and streaking along the flanks looks spot on to me. It the white area that seem too bright. Maybe just back off the multiply effect a bit? Anyway - all this assumes that color accuracy is part of your goal is, and that my monitor and yours have some commonality.
I also was intrigued by the promise of the Topaz Remask. I am planning to give it a trial run on some really challenging feathers - like my hen turkey's head. I will be interested in following your experience with it.
Cheers
gail

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Gail, I agree, somewhere in between is probably best. This species is feathered on the cover of Birds & Blooms, wish this image did a better job of showing the beauty of this creature, maybe next time. I used the Multiplyer twice, maybe once too much.

Gail, go for it. It took me a several tries but I made good progress with image extraction (within 30 minutes) that would have been impossible for me otherwise. With the brush in a semi-wide mode, it picks up good detail. Again, several attempts to get the brush size to my liking and a steady stroke, but I have never been able to get this far otherwise - let me know how you do.

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Jeff, Topaz Remask sounds like it might be a helpful tool, thanks for discussing. On my monitor there seems to be a little too much contrast and not as much detail as in your first post.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Katie,...

Thanks for feedback, still experimenting with this tool, thanks,...but the BG look better right,..... (that was a joke).

Maybe I applied too much multiplier layer?

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Jeff,
I like the capture. The color rendition is good and I like the fine details...the background makes him pop out...good show...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

I like it a lot as presented Jeff !!! Mighty fine work !!!