Snowy Egret

[Cheryl Slechta]

I took this image of a Snowy around 10am on a pier so the light was not optimum. Unfortunately his feet were behind a bench so I'm hoping that doesn't ruin the image. I cloned out a pole on the left and did levels and usm adjustments. I liked the layers of brown and blue bg - I'm sure it won't be everyone's cup of tea
Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Sorry, I posted the wrong image - this one has the repaired bg after the pole eviction Actually, I probably need to do a round of gaussian blur on other spots of the bg also - they look kine of blotchy.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Cheryl,

Normally background patterns can be distracting assuming the Snowy is the subject. I would crop more from the top. I find it interesting but my eye does go back and forth trying to find harmony in the fame. It is unique but IMO make the image out of balance, let's see what others say. I am alright with the feet cut just as long as they are not clipped, please include the techs too. Thanks for sharing, let's see more from you.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Jeff, sorry - the techs are: f/6.3, 1/640sec., ISO 100, +.3EV. I think a crop from the top is a good idea. Although I like the blue & brown bg, I agree that it's distracting, especially the blotches. I think I'll try to lighten and blur them and see what it looks like.

[Kevin Giannini]

Very nice image Cheryl! I do like the color combo of the blue and brown in the BG but it is 'sliightly' distracting and may be less so with a little additional blurring. What's a little more distracting is the darker green blotches which almost look like cloning but I'm sure are just part of the reflection. Nice handling of the whites and good detail. The legs don't bother me. Very nice!
Regards,
Kevin

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Cheryl,

Greetings. A bit off the top would do it for me... I like the bg (I'm always partial to blue-orange color contrast ). Took a try at bringing some of the feather detail in the whites. I think there is plenty there (great exposure) but with the bright light the contrast isn't enough to bring out the detail without working the contrast a fair amount...



I brought out detail with a steep luminosity curve (LAB mode curve) at the far right. Channel mixed to monochrome, then blended with the original in luminosity, opacity to taste. finally balanced brightness with another LAB mode curve. Would work better with a full res version. This type of pp wouldn't work at all without the proper exposure.

Another look in any event...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Cheryl Slechta]

Michael, thanks for taking the time to work on the image - it's definitely an improvement. I know you use LAB curves a lot - I've never used it but will try to follow what you did

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Cheryl,

Just posted some lab curves pointers here (Gary's sandpiper, scroll down for the lab curves stuff). And to give you an idea of the initial lab curve... the Lightness curve:



Hope this makes sense...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Cheryl Slechta]

Michael, thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate your time and knowledge. I've printed your post on the sandpiper and will try to recreate it