Here is the same willet I posted a couple days ago, from the same sequence, but three or four steps earlier in its walk. The busy background was a problem in my earlier post, taking one's eye away from the subject. This image had a bit of a "grass problem" near its leading foot, which I rather clumsily cloned away. Otherwise I made a minimum of PP adjustments. Is this a better product?
Wendell
PS: Just realized that the words of my title bring to my mind that crazy Ray Stevens' song, It's Me Again, Margaret.
Base image is good, got a couple of suggestions. Added some canvas to the right, bottom and top (quick and dirty), lighten the bird a bit, boosted contrast a small tad then sharpen the head !!! Just tiny changes but think they make a difference.
... btw these birds might look drab when walking around but are spectacular in flight !! One of my primary targets !!!
Alfred, thanks. Those "tiny changes" caused a big improvement. I also attempt a lot of Willet flight shots but am usually unsuccessful . . . they are almost always past me . . .
Wendell my strategy for the Willets in flight is waiting for them. If I see them up and down the beach I know they will come by. If you see one landing move to an area close and set up, worth the wait ... getting one of those sharp and large in frame has been a challenge !!!
Hey Wendell ... I like "Margaret" :D. I don't know what the actual colors were that day, but the image seemed a tad heavy on cyan to me, so I adjusted that. The rest is just playing around with the background for practice, and not to find fault with the original. Nice job. I like the "foot angle" of the leading foot. :cool:
David, I'm not a real big country music fan, but Stevens' stuff turns me on -- my favorite is his The Haircut Song.
Your image adjustments are striking, as always. I've looked at your site and know your "bag" (I admire outstanding digital retouchers) but only recently guessed that Alfred and Fabs are college instructors in the art of photography. I am among pros. As an rank amateur photographer and retoucher I am out of this league -- but, paradoxically, am exactly where I shoud be. 'Preciate the help from all . . . !
Hi David Without knowing what the bird looks like you did real well !!!
Those birds look usually washed except when they open the wings !! Always a treat seeing you do the PS magic !!! .... btw a few weeks ago got to spend the entire week with Tim Grey while doing a workshop in Ft Myers, lots of fun!!!
It's me again
