Color Wash #2

[Fabs Forns]

Sometimes you envision your image, work for it and finally executed as it was the case here:

http://birdphotographers.net/forums/...ad.php?t=57301

This time, the image fell on my lap. We were doing the Cape Coral Owls in Artie's IPT, we are all down on the ground, getting more or less the same image, give an inch or two. Artie is in front of me to my right. All of the sudden, and while I'm shooting, he makes a move to the left and gets between the Owl and my lens, with his black leather coat providing the color wash. Was I lucky or what? The only different image of that afternoon, and I didn't even work for it :)

Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens (mm): 840
ISO: 640
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter: 1/40
flash -1 Ev

Had to crop from right and bottom for composition even if it meant getting rid of the best wash.
No contrast applied at all as not to ruin the look. A bit of saturation on upper left corner via Viveza.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Great expression on the owl. Not sure if I like the effect. I'm sure this will bring a great amount of different opinions.:eek: But outside the box is always a good thing Fabs.:)

[Scott Frye]

I like the way that eye pops out of the picture --

[Deborah Hanson]

I really love the image - especially the effect/mood created. The composition works with the coloring/wash, or the other way around, with the darker area in the bottom corner balancing the upper corner. Always nice to have a different way of expression.
The eye is clear and sharp and draws the viewer into the image. The feather detail is evident.
I also like the pose of the bird.

Deb

[David Thomasson]

Now that's cool. Reminds me of the late Bob Ross: We don't make mistakes here, we just have happy accidents.

With a little play in PS you could bring that gimlet eye out a bit more ...

[Gail Spitler]

Interesting original post and then David's re-post. My first response to the image was to want more vividness and sharpness as David's re-post suggests. But when I looked at that, I decided I really liked the softness of the whole image; it's quite painterly. Guess I wouldn't change a thing.
Cheers
Gail

[Steve Maxson]

An interesting effect, Fabs. I kind of like what David has done to make the eye more prominent.

[paul leverington]

Oh Fabs--you know Artie planned the whole thing!:):D

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Fabs, firstly, to have an owl in your face, makes me extremely jealous. I like the soft look to this, and the pose is priceless. David's repost adds a lot of interest around the head.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Much prefer the softness of the original!

[Fabs Forns]

Thanks you all.
David, you know I'm a fan of your work and it's a treat to have your vision applied to any of my images.
In this case, though, I didn't apply any contrast or enhancement because I wanted the soft muted look of the veil.
Anyway, I really appreciate your work and thanks again for taking the time.

[David Thomasson]

Thanks you all.
David, you know I'm a fan of your work and it's a treat to have your vision applied to any of my images.
In this case, though, I didn't apply any contrast or enhancement because I wanted the soft muted look of the veil.

I like the overall veiled look, and I'm not sure I would enhance the eye if I were doing it for keeps. I try these things out just to see what I'm envisioning in my mind.

[Fabs Forns]

Hmmm, Maybe try to remove the bit of red eye, though that would mean adding back to the eye. I shall try it ;)
Thanks!

[David Thomasson]

Hmmm, Maybe try to remove the bit of red eye, though that would mean adding back to the eye. I shall try it ;)

Odd, I hadn't even noticed that! One way to take the red out
without creating a black pupil: Select the pupil and open a hue/sat
adjustment layer. In the red and magenta channels, pull the
lightness slider (not saturation) back to -100.

[Fabs Forns]

Bravo! That's it! :D

Thanks!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Fabs, I like what you have created here. very creative. Lovely pose. enjoyed reading the to-and-fro between You and David.

David, love those animated gifs you make.

[Vida van der Walt]

I find all of this very interesting, from Artie being in the way to the end result of this unique image. Love the dreamy feel and mood of this image. Beautiful!