Chiaroscuro egret

[Cheryl Slechta]

I found Kerry's tutorial after I processed this image - it originally had a very dark bg on the right and not so much on the left so I painted over the light spots on the left. I used a slight Nik Glamour Glow and then Fract. Sketch. I was totally undecided about a crop and recropped about a dozen times. I have lots of room on all sides if anyone has a better idea While scrolling down I might like it better with a crop from the bottom although I liked the long sweep of the neck.
Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated.

[Richard Lovison]

Cheryl,

The pose is definitely OOTB. At first I wondered about the lack of eye contact with the bird's eye pointed downwards yet this focuses my attention on that beautiful area outlined by the neck and wing feathers. I love the composition just as it is. Nice, subtle use of fractalius. If it were mine I might try to bring a little more detail to the white area to the right of the neck if possible. Beautifully done.

Richard

[John Storjohann]

Cheryl, I've come back to this image three times now...it has a unique appeal. Unusual pose...if it were mine, I'd like to see a bit more on the LHS...some of the outstretched wing...and depending on how that looks, maybe a sliver off the bottom. I love the subtle combination of Glamor Glow and Fractalius...Richard makes a good suggestion about toning down the whites on the RHS. Nicely done!

[Jay Sheinfield]

Cheryl, beautiful effect. I agree whit Richard on the whites. Just a tad since I thing it still need to be bright enough to set off the neck. Wouldn't change anything else. It's a beauty.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Cheryl, I like the comp as is and the light use of fractalius. I think there is enough of the eye showing to make it work. Agree with Richard on the whites.

[Christopher Miller]

Cheryl, I really like the unusual pose here. The soft processing looks great against the dark BG. Well done!

[denise ippolito]

Cheryl, I think Richard makes a good suggestion. The orange that is illuminated looks like a glow coming from the bill. Sweet image and great Fract work!!

[Brendan Dozier]

Unique, gentle and elegant pose, Cheryl, and beautiful light with just the right touch with the processing. Looks great against the black BG, very nice composition!

[Kerry Perkins]

Cheryl, you certainly didn't need any tutorials to pull this one off. It is really nice, love the pose and the intent gaze. Birds get so serious when they preen... The little bit of color from the bill really makes this one for me. Good show!

[Anita Bower]

Unusual and eye-catching pose. So graceful. This image made me appreciate the beauty of Egrets. It is good to see them in unusual poses. Thank you for that! My only suggestion is a bit more details in some white areas. Just lovely.

[Hazel Grant]

I can only say ditto to all of the above. Congrats on a great capture.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks everyone, sorry I'm so late responding to your comments. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to check the original for extra detail in the whites - I think they're there.