Hi guys, thanks for the comments:). Lorant, I adjusted the exposure (gamma) to increase the mid-tone contrast. I then erased the effect on the bird using a layer mask/brush tool. i then selectively lightened the bird using the dodge tool in CS5, at a moderate strength.
Hi Chris, great shot, like the backlighting arond the birds head and neck, and the effect created by the dust. Good detail in that eye as well. You have created quite a dramatic effect here. Just one question, did you lighten the yellowish patch around the middle of the birds neck or was it that yellowish colour?
cheers
Grant
Thanks for the comments guys. Grant the yellow patch is there on the RAW file, but I might be have been a bit too enthusiastic with the dodge tool:o Scott perhaps you can elaborate a bit?
Great action shot, Chris. It certainly does have a dusty feeling to it. I like the detail in the eye, but might personally have been tempted to brighten the eye just a bit more.
Neat action here between the kicked-up dust and the kicking leg. Cool pose too. I like the low angle and warm tones throughout. I had the same question as Grant about the neck but I see you answered that...thanks.
The colors under the bird are brighter than the rest of the background and the far leg is very blurred -- then I reread yuour description and I'm thinking its the light reflecting from the dust -- sorry about the misinterpretation and I should have caught that first time around.