Composite Pic. Does it work?

[conkerwood]

Hi I take a lot of bird shots in my backyard, often in low light because of the trees. I took this sulphur crested cockatoo but really didn't like the background. So I decided to expand my PP skills by setting myself the challenge of placing the bird in a totally different setting and making it look as realistic as possible. About 5 hours of PSE later this is the result. Am interested in comments on the PP or anything else for that matter.

Thanks in advance

Peter

[Splatsworth]

Can you post the original so that we can compare?

[ReaperVR]

Hey There,

My first thought of the Image was that it was the original image as from your camera.

To me it looks GREAT, but im just a noob at photography.

My 2c

[conkerwood]

This is the setting that i placed the bird into



This is the original bird shot. Both were taken as RAW but I have posted jpg here.

[Splatsworth]

Well you've done a fantastic job and I love it, if you hadn't have pointed out that you changed the background I would never have known. If I had to critique at all, and this is just an observation, I would have tried to remove the 2 branches behind the birds heads but thats just me being fussy

[conkerwood]

Yeah looking at it now I should have removed the two branches. Might have a go tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback.

Peter

[FrankMi]

Great composite image and given the original, one well worth working on. You are correct on needing to remove the branches right behind the bird. If they were actually there, the bird wouldn't have the space needed to make the approach to the landing location.

[Bobobird]

Lovely work. As others have said, remove the back branches.

[Mark Lawrence]

Good job on masking but I think you could do much better on the background ! try lots of different ones until it fits.After all that work take your time finding a background!

[Nomadr]

really good job, if i would change anything i might darken down the birds left wing in places to make it look like its in shadow,the sun is coming in from the left of pic so in theory would cast a shadow from the birds body (especially when you look at the dark underside of the branches), i am useless at cutting and pasting,cheers martyn

[conkerwood]

Thanks Mark, you are absolutely right, I will go hunting for a better background. Also like the idea of darkening down birds wing to match shadow. Many thanks some really useful feedback

Peter

[cosmokev]

Hello = my first post.
You could also try using a small blur brush around the outline of the bird - this gives a more natural look.