The Unbearable Lightness of Being

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Everyone,
This little sanderling was taken in colour, converted to b/w and then any remaining BG colour was painted out. I then tweaked in levels and curves until I was happy. I have a whole set of these that were deliberately processed to look like line drawings - you might be seeing a few of these this week :D
I purposely cropped the image like this to emphasise the fact that the bird looks as if it is about to take off like a Harrier Jump Jet - oh, and then of course there is the title...for those of you who like your Milan Kundera :D
Mk 3 300 f2.8
ISO 400
f/4 1/1600
Exp comp @ +2
Look forward to your thoughts.
Best to all,
Nicki

[denise ippolito]

Nicki, I like the explanation for the comp. I might bump the contrast (just slightly_ in the wings only. There is a delicate softness here that I like.

[Kerry Perkins]

Very nice Nicki. I like the softness that Denise mentioned and the minimalist approach to the image. I might be tempted to bring back a bit of the line of the surface that the bird is about to launch from. There is just a hint of it there. I like this technique and have done a few. Well done!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Denise and Kerry, thank you for your very kind comments. Kerry, on the print that I made of this the line of sand is more prominent - I often find that this type of image does not project as well as I would like.
Best,
Nicki

[Kerry Perkins]

Understood. Thanks Nicki!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Nicki, thanks for your workflow. I've been trying to achieve this effect because I love yours but this helps a lot.
I love the title - it certainly fits the pose:)

[Patti Edens]

Nicki, Wonderful image! I really like this technique. I like your vision of the impending take-off. My first thought when I saw it was a ballet dancer about to execute a pirouette.

The technique reminds me of this article I read recently. I prefer your less busy, more delicately lined results.

Patti

[Christopher Miller]

Love this high-key, minimalist style of yours, Nicki. It's always very nice! :) Love the pose here with the raised wings. Well done.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

All, thanks so much for your very kind words - very much appreciated :)
Patti, thanks for the link - very interesting article. I think that to get this delicate look just right a lot of tweaking is required. It really does need a lightness of touch to be effective.
Best to all,
Nicki

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Nicki.

Only comment I have is I would like to see a little more of the shape of the bird. I find the decapitation a little too soft. But that is me and your image ... your vision. ;)