Night Flight redux

[Kerry Perkins]

Re-posting this one from a couple of years ago, as an example of what you can do with selections. The TV was shot at the beach against a dull gray sky. The sunset image is from my folder of sky images. This was done back before I had a single Topaz plug-in, so no ReMask here. It would be a slam-dunk for that program, but I did this one the more traditional way using the various selection tools. In case anyone doesn't know this, you can freely change selection tools in PS as you work. Sometimes a single tool doesn't do the whole job, so it is convenient to be able to add or subtract from your selection using all the different tools.

The only artificial part of this image is the lightning, which was supplied by Alien Skin. The one thing that makes this image for me is the nostril cavity, which appears to be an eye but is not. Should I have filled it in with the bg? Maybe, but I think it would change the character of the image.

[Hazel Grant]

Wow, and thanks for the details of how you did it. Very "enlightning"===
Re the nostril, I think I'd leave it as it is...it does look like an eye and so seems to give a lifelike feel to the bird.

[denise ippolito]

Kerry, Nice image and great example of a selection. I'd leave the nostril cavity. I knew what it was. I like the awesome colors.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Very cool looking Kerry, Nice work and thanks for how you processed this.

[Brendan Dozier]

This is very cool looking, Kerry. Like the lightning effect, but you might get a ticket from the HA police. Thanks for the very helpful processing info!

[Dave Mills]

Hi Kerry, no HA police here since the overall impact of the image is very strong. Great use of colors,filters and a combination of elements to come up with an image that one wants to linger and study. Strong!

[Steve Adkins]

So much fun to see this composition of elements. Beautiful color, interesting feather detail and a luscious curve of the tips. Thanks for sharing this creation, Kerry.

[Indranil Sircar]

I remember this one... love those colors.

[Maureen Allen]

What a great comp! Love the colors, the lightning.. wonderful Kerry! I would definitely leave the nostril cavity as it is. Thanks for the explanation of how you created this.