Coming Home

[Richard Lovison]

This is an experiment with pixel bender. It is a blend with the original using the oilpaint option. For some reason PB doesn't get along with my ATI 512mb X1650 video card even though it has the latest drivers. Moving the option sliders is awkward (very choppy) and if the image is larger than about 1500 pixels square I get a black screen in the preview window. Computers. :)

I'm not sure of the composition though the one presented seemed to look the best. Comments appreciated.


copyright © reserved 2006-2011, Richard Lovison

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Richard, I think the effect worked out well although it did give you a bit of ghosting around the dark edges of the subjects.

I find the composition to be a bit of a problem too, and I think it's because of the oof bird in the bg. It seems out of place and if it weren't there you wouldn't have included the plants on the right. Both of those elements compete for attention with the heron and the bg bird wins IMO, since it is wider than the main subject. What I would suggest would be to crop from the right until you have a nice vertical pano of the heron on the tree, then paint out anything that isn't sky in the bg (except maybe the branches just to the right of the tree). At least that's one suggestion...

[Richard Lovison]

Kerry,

Thanks for your feedback. I was hoping I could make the image work with both the bird on the tree as well as the incoming. Oh well, I guess I was having difficulty with the composition for a good reason.

Here's a re-post with the cropping suggested. The focus is now shifted to where it belongs.


copyright © reserved 2006-2011, Richard Lovison

[Christopher Miller]

When it comes to composition, Richard, less is usually more. And the repost improves the comp perfectly. Great pose and PB effect. Well done!

[Kerry Perkins]

Excellent Richard! That's exactly what I was thinking and this is a much stronger composition. Well done.

[denise ippolito]

Richard, Good suggestion by Kerry and I like the repost. I do wish the bird were angled more towards us but I really like the cool perch and feel that the bird is hunting. Nicely done w/ the filter.

[Steve Adkins]

Strong comp on the repost, Richard. Love the perch and subject. Agree that PB can be a resource hog.