Artie has a "black and white" image in his digital basics PDF that inspired this one. I have tried to re-create something similar unsuccessfully a few times but got lucky with this one at Nickerson Beach the other day. I actually turned around so the sun was facing me, these OCs were essentially silhouetted to my eye so I new they would work for this process. I took many images hoping to get the mouth open and the legs spread wide (lots of throw aways due to poor position), although I couldn't see the shadow I was hoping it would still be there. In PP I brightened an already detail less BG and darkened the bird and shadow. I then added a black stroke layer.
Denise is right - the position of the bird really takes this image to a new level. I might suggest a little more sharpening on the black silhouetted area of the bird but everything else is simply fabulous. Congrats on a great image, Nick.
Black and White OC
