Topaz Bird Dance

[Kerry Perkins]

Well, actually, he's a Chumash Indian. Our local Native Americans keep their culture alive and today I got to see some dancing and drumming as well as story-telling by some of them. There were at Satwiwa, which is a sit of a Chumash village and is now part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. They often have events here and today they were performing in honor of my photographer friend Pete Padilla, who has an annual exhibition of his images from pow-wows around the area. He does a great job and it is nice to see his work get recognized.

This young man is dancing in his hawk regalia, and when he tips his head down he assumes the bird persona. Topaz DeNoise, Detail, Clean, and Adjust. Added a vignette with NIK Color Efex Pro. It was interesting to me, photographing what is essentially a big bird.

[Scott Vincent]

Kerry, Stunning image. Great to see the full Native American regalia, and the effects look nice.

[Paul Lagasi]

Lovely effects, cool image. The beads, deer hide, reds and the feathers show really well..TFS

[denise ippolito]

Excellent use of the Clean filter Kerry! Love the feathers and details. Neat!!

[Mark Fuge]

Very nice image and application, Kerry.

Really like the effect of this one as presented.

[Steven Kersting]

Definitely an interesting picture and well taken.
The only thing that I find bothersome is some of the haloing around the feathers, the BG seems just a bit too "manipulated" for me.

[Pete Padilla]

Hi Kerry, I was happy to see you and your wife at the exhibit. Your photo of the dancer is another of your great work. I was busy at the event and didn't get to take more pics. of the dancers and drummers. Hope to get out with you so we can shoot more of what Satwiwa has to offer.

Pete

[Steve Adkins]

Stunning effects and details, Kerry. Great work.

[Anita Bower]

Beautiful photograph and excellent pp. Your brought out the details and colors to make a good image great!

[Andrew McLachlan]

Kerry, this is absolutely stunning! Very impressive!

[Cheryl Flory]

love the combination of the clean filter and the details. beautiful image. agree with Steven about the bg.

[Christopher Miller]

I agree with everyone else, this is really stunning! All the colors and details...Wow!

[Maureen Allen]

This is so fascinating, Kerry. All the colors and detail are amazing. It must have been really fun to photograph this event!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Whoa Kerry! Stunning colors and details!!! Outstanding!!!

[Brendan Dozier]

This is really, really, freakin good, Kerry! Superb detail, color, and composition. I hope you have more and can do a series. This should be printed and published!