Deer

[Richard Lovison]

While working in the basement preparing for the next rehab chore I just happened to notice this deer in the backyard feeding at the ground bird feeder. I ran upstairs to grab my camera and managed to get quite close to take this image. There was some slight cropping to the left, some vibrance and saturation increase, levels adjustment, lightening of the eye, sharpening and pixel bender used as the final effect.

I hope all of you didn't think I disappeared. I have just been swamped with a rehab project of the downstairs (open floor plan for kitchen, dining area and living room) that has been eating up most of my time. As I'm doing most of the work I'm usually beat at the end of the day. I miss all of you though I hope to return toward the end of July.


copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[denise ippolito]

Richard, Glad you were able to sneak one in between your project, and yes we were worried you had disappeared!! Love this sweet capture and the filtering is lovely. I like the pose and the way you framed it.

[Richard Lovison]

Thanks Denise. On the repost I brought the original eye in via a mask and lightened it a bit.

Oops. I just now noticed you didn't make a reference to the eye in the above post though in my email you had. I believe you were correct the first time as the eye did appear a bit dark.


copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[denise ippolito]

Richard, I had originally typed that but then decided after a closer look that it was fine. But the repost does have a bit more life in the eye and I do like it better.

[Indranil Sircar]

Great to see you posting, Richard! Fantastic image and composition! Love the framing. The filtering is awesome and the eye has come out nice in the repost. Excellent work

[Anita Bower]

I was just thinking that the eye needed to be lightened when I saw your second post which addresses this concern. I like the position of the deer, with the curve of the neck and the head in center stage. I think my preference would be for a bit less pixel bender effect. Beautiful colors. Well done! Best to you on your huge renovation project!

[Richard Lovison]

... I think my preference would be for a bit less pixel bender effect.

Hi Anita,

I was wondering how the full effect would play out in the forum. Usually I do blends though I thought I'd try something different. Here is one at 60% opacity for a bit more realism with a bit of burning in the upper left corner.


copyright © reserved 2011, Richard Lovison

[Anita Bower]

I am not liking both the second and third images! I can see the difference, but not sure it makes much of a difference, if that makes any sense. I experimented with darkening ULC even more and lightening the eye a bit more (levels) and liked those changes. Some of us are never satisfied!

[Brendan Dozier]

Filtering looks great on the fur, Richard, and love the subtle variation of orange-brown color tones. Goes nice against the vibrant green BG. I think I prefer the second post. What a great opportunity to get that close to that gentle creature.

[Julie Kenward]

I like the second post best - the original plus a little work on the eye. Sweet expression, nice crop and love the processing on the fur!

[Richard Lovison]

I like the second post best - the original plus a little work on the eye. Sweet expression, nice crop and love the processing on the fur!

Thanks Julie. I like the second best as well. I wanted to create a fluid look to the fur and I feel that the 100% use of pixel bender does it best.

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. It's very much appreciated. It was fun to take a bit of a break from our home project.

Our deer is still visiting, now having taken a liking to our front yard hostas. She is so thin that I'm a bit worried for her health.