This GBH was allowing us way too close and continuing to crane it's neck watching a circling young Bald Eagle over head at about 100' (which I also got a shot of). Either the Eagle had attacked or sensed it was injured and was waiting for the oportunity. The Heron was in a thickit that would make an attack very difficult and imposible for me to get a clean shot. I had no choice but to paint the background. You will notice his/her left foot is favored, swollen and discolored. Further on close inspection there was a large patch out of the forehead. It's a jungle out there.
The question is - what would be the best BG color?
Bill, I would go with a gradient and refine your edges a bit more. Sad to see these things in nature. The more you are out there the more you see it. That foot looks very swollen. I do like that shade of blue.
Bill, If you are using photoshop-go to the gradient tool, it is the one that shares the space w/ the paint bucket. It looks like a rectangle.The gradient colors will come up on the top left. I usually choose one at about 12% opacity and put it on it's own layer. If you need more help let me know.
I like you comp Bill, I agree with D about the gradient. Took the liberty of working on it in NIK using the graduated filters. Gives the BG a bit more depth I think. Just selected the bird and inverted the selection using the quick selection tool so I just had the sky left to work on.
Thanks Jackie - much much better. I haven't had a chance to try it yet with the holiday routine going on but I can see what D was talking about. I will definatley be trying it out soon!! I'm starting to like the color. :D
Wounded Warrior
