Rooster Before and After

[Dave Mills]

I took this while on a trip to Virginia. This was a quick grab shot while I was keeping pace with the rooster using a Canon G11.
I was close to deleting it but wanted to see what I could make out of it...

[Dave Mills]

This is what I made out of it. I eliminated the backround and used Nik and Topaz filters to bring up some of the detail. I did a fair share of burning and dodging to even out various areas.
I also used selective color to help control some of the colors. I wanted it vibrant.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Dave, great job of removing the background. This looks like one serious rooster! I think the bottom feathers should be darker - all the other feathers look true but I'm pretty sure these guys have very dark green feathers below the neck ruff.

[Paul Jasso]

Dave, I wasn't going to look at this post, heck it's a rooster, but the "before and after" caption made me take a look. The one thing I'm amazed with in my short time here is people's ability to take images, even throwaways, and make them amazing. Your rooster is a perfect example. It looks like it was shot in a studio. Excellent. I have to agree with Cheryl, though, I'd darken the feathers below the neck (the orange ones in the lower right) to keep the eyes from running out of the image.

[Dave Mills]

Cheryl,Paul, thanks for the comments

[Nick Palmieri]

Great job removing the BG Dave. I really like the colors and details you pulled out of the chicken.

[Dave Mills]

Thanks Nick

[Judy Howle]

I love the vibrant colors and the detail is excellent. I agree that you did a great job removing the background.

[Anita Bower]

Beautiful work, and beautiful rooster! Wow! Like it a lot!!!! Gorgeous colors and details. Question: How did you remove the bg?