Chipmunk

[Ravi Hirekatur]

This is my first post.
I took this photo in my backyard while waiting for birds in a blind. Critiques and comments welcome
Canon 30D + 300/2.8 + 1.4x
f5.6, 1/160, ISO 800
ACR - Clarity, vibrance, sharpen and NR
CS4 - smart sharpen
70% of original image
© Ravi Hirekatur

[Lance Peters]

Hi Ravi - big warm welcome to the BPN family - Nice first post.

Cute little guy!! Composition works for me - Like the direct eye contact.
Think you could coax some more detail out of the little guy - I added some selective sharpening to him - Probably dont want as much as I have done - But have left it like this so you can easily see the difference.
Might also desaturate the BG a little - IN P.S. - Hue/Saturation - Greens - adjust the saturation and lightness sliders to adjust.

Looking forward to seeing more.

PS - I also mage one other change - who can spot it!!

[Dave Leroy]

I like the composition and how the little guy has a catch light in both eyes.

Good job by Lance on the repost, although I think both have a bit of a green colour cast.

Well done.

[Lance Peters]

I like the composition and how the little guy has a catch light in both eyes.

Good job by Lance on the repost, although I think both have a bit of a green colour cast.

Well done.

HI Dave - was still working on the colour cast as you posted your comment :) And the answer was - Does have a green colour cast!!

[Dave Leroy]

Ooops. :D

Other than recognizing cc's, I am not too sure what causes them, and perhaps in this one by the green foliage.

Dave

[Lance Peters]

Ooops. :D

Other than recognizing cc's, I am not too sure what causes them, and perhaps in this one by the green foliage.

Dave

Think you might be correct there - reflected light from the foliage in this case - IMHO.

[Arthur Morris]

I like the original post (Velvia) and the sharper repost (Kodachrome). I like the perch, the pose, and the wrap-around tail. And the BKGR. I would prefer that the squirrel be looking right down the lens barrel.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Welcome Ravi, very nice first post! Perhaps a bit more detail sharpening. Love your BKG.
Don

[Ravi Hirekatur]

Thanks Lance, Artie, Dave and Don for your comments. I am embarassed to ask this as my PS skills are very basic: Lance, how did you get the details and how did you selectively sharpen? And I didn't get the other change you made. I like the repost better, except that I would desaturate a little less. Still having withdrawals from velvia. I am learning a lot just by browsing this forum.
Ravi

[Lance Peters]

Thanks Lance, Artie, Dave and Don for your comments. I am embarassed to ask this as my PS skills are very basic: Lance, how did you get the details and how did you selectively sharpen? And I didn't get the other change you made. I like the repost better, except that I would desaturate a little less. Still having withdrawals from velvia. I am learning a lot just by browsing this forum.
Ravi

Hi Ravi - I would only recommend you sharpen selectively - you dont necessarily want to sharpen the Background.

I have attached a screenshot --the arrow points to the quick selection tool - click on the image and drag over the subject - there are many ways to make a selection and refine it - this is just a quick and dirty method - then you will get the marching ants lines around the subject - this is the selection - so now if you goto FILTERS - UNSHARP MASK and apply it - it will only affect the area inside of the marching ants border.

See this thread for sharpening info
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...g-Information!

Many different methods of sharpening - I use Genuine Fractals with a set of Actions by Noel Carboni.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Lance, Artie, Dave and Don for your comments. I am embarassed to ask this as my PS skills are very basic: Lance, how did you get the details and how did you selectively sharpen? And I didn't get the other change you made. I like the repost better, except that I would desaturate a little less. Still having withdrawals from velvia. I am learning a lot just by browsing this forum. Ravi

Hi Ravi, YAW. I would suggest getting a copy of our Digital Basics file; it was made for you. I loved Velvia but have gown to wish that I had never heard the word film :)

You can learn all about Digital Basics by clicking here.