Bird Art Especially for Chauncey - High Key Swan

[Brownbear]

Hello all,

I'm still on my artistic break (I'm working on developing my artistic vision and my PP Skills) but popping in because I'm stuck on this image simply because it is a first for me.

SS 1/1000 f/6.3 ISO 900 Focal Length 300 mm

I like this image but I'm a bit worried about the brightness of the background, even though it is high key, and I'm also not sure how good a job I did blending in the water. (lifted the exposure and highlights of the background to make the background almost pure white) I also have a square crop but posted just one image because I figure folks can move it around to see if a closer crop works better.

I could use some feedback on this image with an aim to improve. Thank you.




With a special note to Chauncey simply because I once said I would surprise him with an artistic image.

[Kodiak]

With a special note to Chauncey…

I can't hide it… I am not Chauncey!

…but I just wanted to say that this is supurdupergreatandIlikeit

[pnodrog]

A very striking photograph. Difficult to improve but you could lighten the wake/feet behind the swan and add a little bit more contrast to the head and beak area. Particularly to enhance the eye.

Whatever you do don't lose the lovely peaceful mood.

[PhotoByTrace]

Oh Christina, I love it! What a beautiful, elegant photo. I really like the blending through the water as well as the details in the water surrounding the swan; the bubbles and splashes really add to the depth of the photo. And nice feather detail through the neck. Though, as Paul suggested, maybe a little more in the head just to bring the eye out a little. But overall, wow... I don't think it is too bright and you've kept lots of detail still between the background and the swan. Just gorgeous!

[KimC]

Just gorgeous Christina!

[terrib]

Just wonderful! The light in the wings and the bubbles in the water are fantastic. Agreed with earlier comments on contrast on the head/eye. But, great, great, great!

[RogerCook]

Damn Christina you have come a long way in short period of time! Your hard work is paying off, I love the image the only critisism I would make is that I think if the beak and head didn't have the foggy look but were bright and sharp it would possibly look better. Give it a try and see, I haven't posted for a while either other thatn the monthly challenge and one post the other day with five bird shots (the first is a pelican dive). Great job!

[Brownbear]

Thank you Kodiak, L. Paul, Terri, Kim and Trace. Truly appreciated and encouraging. I was especially worried about the brightness and the quality of my blending (not so easy to do). I especially like high key images and I'm trying to develop my artistic side so it is nice to hear that I did a good job of it. So I will send Chauncey a PM to make sure he sees this one.

Also thank you for the advice on PP... Here is the edit with more contrast on the Swans head and neck, and lightening the feet and wake.



I especially like the big bubble. The Swan was on the move in order to chase some ducks out of its territory.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Roger. Your kind words are truly appreciated.

I just posted an edit with more contrast in the head and neck area. It was a very foggy/misty morning. However, I know where this Swan lives so I will try a similar shot on a clear morning. Hopefully the Swan will feel like chasing ducks.

I sure miss pelicans so I will take a peek at yours

Damn Christina you have come a long way in short period of time! Your hard work is paying off, I love the image the only critisism I would make is that I think if the beak and head didn't have the foggy look but were bright and sharp it would possibly look better. Give it a try and see, I haven't posted for a while either other thatn the monthly challenge and one post the other day with five bird shots (the first is a pelican dive). Great job!

[Polar01]

Christina I tried a slight change to your image, very, very nice by the way. I lessen the highlights as when I brought it into RAW they were blown (-23), contrast (+13), clarity (-13), vib (-3), saturation (+2) and I deepened shadow (-21). I found that by increasing the shadows it helped to bring out just a little texture in the wings and body. Now it may not be a high key as yours, if I was fortunate enough to get the shoot, I think this is the way I would have finished it for myself.

Cheers: Allan

[IzzieK]

Very beautiful shot, Christina...I like the backlighting on the feathers very much. It is a very striking image...the different edits by members makes it more interesting. I hope William will see this one soon...

[rpcrowe]

Very lovely shot....

[Brownbear]

Thank you Allan... Truly appreciated and very helpful. I like your version a lot except I'm not sure about bringing out the ripples in the water on the right hand side.

I will give it a try tomorrow. Starting from the raw image. I did increase the highlights and exposure with the goal of high key. I also lightened the shadows and never thought of darkening them. So I'm going to have to think about this a bit to figure it out. Why did you decrease the clarity and vibrancy? I ask because I increased the clarity and vibrancy (no saturation added)

Christina I tried a slight change to your image, very, very nice by the way. I lessen the highlights as when I brought it into RAW they were blown (-23), contrast (+13), clarity (-13), vib (-3), saturation (+2) and I deepened shadow (-21). I found that by increasing the shadows it helped to bring out just a little texture in the wings and body. Now it may not be a high key as yours, if I was fortunate enough to get the shoot, I think this is the way I would have finished it for myself.

Cheers: Allan

[ShaneS]

Wow Christina! You've come a long way in developing your artistic vision and PP Skills if this shot is any indication

Very impressive work!

[Brownbear]

Thank you Richard, Izzie and Shane...

Izzie, William is retiring for the evening. I've sent him my PSD file and he will get back to me tomorrow.

Thanks Shane. Birds are far easier than landscapes but hopefully there will be some carry over.

[Cantab]

Christina, I'll add my voice to the chorus of well deserved applause for his photo!

[Polar01]

Christina I will try to explain my thinking, here goes. by increasing shadows more detail came out in the head and neck than I wanted I decreased clarity and it soften the head and neck, however it did very little the body and wings. Also with the slight increase in texture (body/wings) it increased the golden colour in the wings more than I liked, because I want to add just a touch of saturation, which would only have farther increased that gold, as the gold was mid-tone (vibrancy) I lowered it a bit, as I knew the increase in saturation would raise it. Also I applied a mask (100%), so any changes would not apply to the water, only the swan about a 20% mask was applied to the head and neck.

Cheers: Allan

[ShaneS]

Now this made me laugh!

Birds are far easier than landscapes but hopefully there will be some carry over.

I guess it depends on your point of view...landscapes don't move which makes them a lot easier for me

[Polar01]

Shane I will add my "A" to that statement.

Cheers: Allan

[Rita]

Wow Christina. This is very beautiful!