Local Ibis

[Hilary Hann]

I tried 3 birds to texture and all failed so I went back into last years image bank and found this series of photographs taken at a local wetlands. The ibis was photographed just as the sun was rising and the tree trunks in the background had a rich red glow from the sunrise. I subdued them somewhat as they overwhelmed the ibis once the textures were applied. The resultant image is quite dark and moody, but I found the richness surprisingly attractive so left it as is. I'm not sure whether to add it to my portfolio as it doesn't really fit with either the landscapes or the close up birds, but perhaps I could start another series showing Australian birds in their environment, if they'd only sit still!

I did post one in this series some time ago but I think that was in Avian, I can't actually remember.
Any comments welcomed, especially any consensus on whether it's too dark or not as I can rework the textures.

[John Storjohann]

Hi Hilary,

Very nice base image...and you've hit another one out of the park RE texture...but I do agree with your statement that this one is too dark, particularly the foreground elements (the ibis, the LHS grass, the reflection). Lighten those elements up a bit to bring back shadow detail and you've got a winner!

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks John, I'll give it a go but do you think the ibis itself is too dark? I didn't want it to become bland. I'll fiddle with the layers and the lower half tomorrow and see whether I can lift it.

[denise ippolito]

Hilary, I like the way you are processing your images. I agree w/ John. I think that you should be able to retain the dark allure of the image even if you lighten some of those elements just a hair. Nice work as usual. The warm brown tones are absolutely lovely.

[Jay Sheinfield]

Hillary, another vote for lightening teh dark areas..............I think you can still preserve the mood. Love the pose of the Ibis and the placement in the frame.

[Paul Lagasi]

Hilary I love this series of images, most of your images show well and thanks for the post on how you do this with textures....I like this image but as said above it is a little darker than our others, I might just lighten everything JUST A BIT but not the bird..but that just my opinion.
Keep them coming looking foreward to more.

[John Storjohann]

Thanks John, I'll give it a go but do you think the ibis itself is too dark? I didn't want it to become bland. I'll fiddle with the layers and the lower half tomorrow and see whether I can lift it.

Hi Hilary;

If it were mine, I would do a wee bit of selective lightening...maybe a bit around the head of the ibis..a bit around the legs..just for a bit detail and separation. The dark tones work very well with the image..it wouldn't take much to put this one over the top. You're doing some exceptional work here...I'm enjoying your textural work and the series of birds very much!

[Andrew McLachlan]

Very nicely textured Hilary. Agree with comments above. Nice work!

[Susan Candelario]

Agree with suggestions offered above. Lighten your subject a bit and it will bring it up a few notches for me personally. Loving your new textured found look.

[Hilary Hann]

Sometimes you can work on an image for a while and then lose all idea of whether you have made significant changes or whether it is all too subtle. So I'll leave it up to you all to tell me whether I've lifted the foreground enough or whether I've ruined the mood. I've used a TK burn/dodge mask along with layer masks on the textures to try to bring back some of the foreground detail. Thanks for all the honest feedback, much appreciated.
Hilary

[John Storjohann]

Hi Hilary...

GREAT repost! You've lightened the grass to the left of the ibis with just enough detail, and I really like the extended range of tone, color and detail in the ibis itself. Well done..Hang it on the wall!!!

[Bob Miller]

Hillary....I agree your repost is "just Right". Congratulations on a great image!

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks John and Bob