Goofing around with PS

[Mikko Viljamaa]

As the next week and a half are little less busier time for me, I have been trying some new staff. With this one I replaced the whole BG as I thought that there was too many things to just remove. I'm in between if I like this or not. I think some pattern / shades would make the BG better. I'm curious to hear what others think. I'll post the original after this one to show what I meant with too much going on on the BG. Maybe someone has a better solution to what I should have done with it. :confused:

BTW I hope that this was the right forum for this (and not OOB for example).


Cheers,

Mikko


EOS 1DMK3
500mm 4.0L + 1.4 II TC
Gitzo + Jobu BW
Av Mode
Evaluative metering + 1/3
ISO 500
f/7.1
1/250

[Mikko Viljamaa]

Here is the original...


Mikko

[John Chardine]

Interesting Mikko. The "giveaway" on the replacement is the harsh transition between the bird's nape and back and the BG. In the original, as the bird's contour fades beyond the DoF you get a subtle softer halo around parts of the bird. This is lacking in the OP. I think the new BG is pretty good although I would have made it a little uneven with some subtle dodging and burning. The other way to tackle this is to mask off parts of the image to be unaffected and clone away.

[Sid Garige]

Mikko,

Looks like you did an excellent job with background. With out your discloser I would have never guessed.
Since you went all the way and made it a good image from OK image, why not remove that twig sticking out at the bottom from the perch? It would make this image even better IMO.

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with both John's and Sid's comments although the stick doesn't really bother me at all. I can see where you dropped in a new BG as John mentioned but that could easily be cleaned up. I also think a bit of depth in the tones of the BG (i.e. burning and dodging) would give it a more realistic look but you did great at getting a very complimentary tone to those of the bird. It's a lovely goldfinch portrait!

[Brendan Dozier]

I think it works, and what a time saver! I like the color you chose for BG, a little subtle tone changing might help to make more natural - but man that image is so crisp!

[Rob Mckenzie]

Wonderful composition. I agree with John, I think the transition is a little too harsh. I also agree the background could do with some more tonal change. Awesome work getting rid of the busy background though.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Another vote for a less uniform background from me. Nice exposure, sharpness and details on the bird as well. Good job with removing the background though :)

[Mikko Viljamaa]

Again great ideas from everyone of how to improve this - big thanks! I'll try the refine edge function next time and see if it makes the transition little less obvious. That and some dodging and burning...


Cheers,

Mikko

[Desmond Chan]

[snip] The "giveaway" on the replacement is the harsh transition between the bird's nape and back and the BG. [snip] I think the new BG is pretty good although I would have made it a little uneven with some subtle dodging and burning. The other way to tackle this is to mask off parts of the image to be unaffected and clone away.

I agree with John on the background. Personally I think many have done so much to the background in order to make it non-distracting, so clean that it looks artificial. Still, good job on cleaning it up though.

[Mikko Viljamaa]

No arguments there Desmond. As a matter of fact I'm surprised how fast I have become one of those persons who wants to see a clear background and who is willing to clean the BG. Not so long ago I was a birder who was interested to see a bird and now I'm finding myself cleaning my own photos because I think that they are too busy. Go figure... :o


Mikko