Resident Sandhill Cranes IR

[Cheryl Slechta]

I'm not sure this will appeal to anyone. I've been out a couple of times with the IR camera - hope to practice a lot more next week while I'm on vacation:D I also did an Orton effect on
this. I'm not sure about the composition but it was taken out of a car window and it was what I had to work with.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I really like the effect of the Orton on this. The softer tones are lovely. The only thing that keeps grabbing my eye is the top of the fence almost merging with the horizon.I like this a lot. Nice job.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Denise, you have the best eye! I hadn't noticed the left fence post. I don't have a problem with evicting the top part and will try to rework it before the weekend. Thanks:)

[Arthur Morris]

I love the effect--especially the look of the grasses--but there are several design problems:

1-the rear bird merging with the fence post
2-the head of the front bird is angled away from the viewer.
3-as per Denise, the top strand of wire merging with the line of the bottom of the forest.
4-it appears to need some CCW rotation.

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I used a couple of layer masks to remove the top wire of the fence and then I tried to level it. Levellling it took me forever:confused:. I did a quicky- but this is what I was trying to say. Sorry for the confusion. The rear bird merging w/ the fence post is not a deal breaker for me. I think that the crooked fence creates an optical illusion and makes the image appear crooked. I also think that the top of the fence posts could be a bit taller than I made them.

[Connie Mier]

Living in Florida, it's kind of a neat photo to see since this is a scene you could easily find along a road somewhere. So right away, I liked it. The above suggestions work for me too.

[Arthur Morris]

Well done on the repost. I like how you chopped those fenceposts down to size!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Denise, thanks so much for reworking it - it looks much better and I like the fact that you took off the top wire - I was going to shorten the post to the top of the fourth wire but I like this much better but agree that the posts could be a little taller. Artie, thanks for your input and artistic perception. There are so many aspects of composition that I don't know (or can't perceive when I look at an image) so your advice is very helpful.:) Hopefully, I'll improve in both areas.

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Cheryl, You are most welcome. FWIW, there is a great chapter on advanced composition and image design in my CD book, ABP II. :)

[Cheryl Slechta]

Artie, I've got the CD and when I read it last year I think there was a lot that was beyond my capabilities that didn't sink in. I am going to go back and read it and hopefully absorb more.;)

[Arthur Morris]

Great plan. Good night. I am flying to AK tomorrow for a bear boat trip.

[denise ippolito]

Denise, thanks so much for reworking it - it looks much better and I like the fact that you took off the top wire - I was going to shorten the post to the top of the fourth wire but I like this much better but agree that the posts could be a little taller. Artie, thanks for your input and artistic perception. There are so many aspects of composition that I don't know (or can't perceive when I look at an image) so your advice is very helpful.:) Hopefully, I'll improve in both areas.

Cheryl, You are welcome. I really like this image and was happy to help.

[Bob Miller]

I would increase the contrast among the grasses and in the sky!