Caught Between the Shadows

[Barbara Ponder]

Trying to figure out if this works. I like it but feel I shouldn't Something about the partial white bird it's shadow and the blue bird and it's shadow making a curve I find appealing......CC welcomed and appreciated!

[Wavelength]

if it wasn't for the background scene, this is really awesome

[Barbara Ponder]

if it wasn't for the background scene, this is really awesome

You mean the greenery or the shadows or both?

[Suzan J]

Hi Barbara: It is entirely possible to like an image even if there is something less than perfect about it. This is particularly true of nature photography as virtually nothing but the camera settings are in your control. There is much to like about the shot including the heron's lovely colours and the ripples in the water. Having said that, it would have been nice if the white bird had chosen a different resting spot, but you already know that. You could clone out the green blob in the lower left corner and if you have any Photoshop skills, some experimenting with selections and backgrounds might be an option. Regardless, I still like it as it is.

[Shadowman]

I would only blame myself if I didn't get additional captures where I tried to get both birds in frame. Nice capture.

[Barbara Ponder]

Susan, thanks! Unfortunately my Photoshop skills are nil! I am experimenting in OnOne but I am still really a newbie at it. I am perusing the net for tutorials and taking it a step at a time. Really trying to learn as much as possible not only with the PP but new camera. Spring will be here before I know it and want to make sure the skills are at an optimum for capturing all the wildlife opportunities we get in the area.

[Barbara Ponder]

I would only blame myself if I didn't get additional captures where I tried to get both birds in frame. Nice capture.

I need to look but alas I think I did not just another of those important lessons I need to learn. I tend to get so excited in the moment I forget to make sure I have all my ducks or in this case egrets/herons all in a row. Hoping that with time and experience this will happen.

[Shadowman]

I need to look but alas I think I did not just another of those important lessons I need to learn. I tend to get so excited in the moment I forget to make sure I have all my ducks or in this case egrets/herons all in a row. Hoping that with time and experience this will happen.

That's where chimping comes in handy.

[Geoff F]

The background is a bit 'heavy' particularly the top left corner.

Maybe a very slight crop from top and left?

If you are looking for editing tutorials; after reading the CinC tutorials for a basic grounding in the subject, have a look at this site

http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/articles.htm

It is based on Adobe software but most others work along fairly similar lines.

[ashcroft]

You have caught the bird really well, and he's very attractive. It's quite easy to remove things in a shot like this, depending on your editing skills, of course. I quickly cropped the image to remove most of what you might not have wanted in there, then just used a clone tool to remove the other bird legs. You have some very nice water ripples at the front, but I think they need more contrast to highlight them. I added a curves layer then made it a gradient from the bottom so it didn't affect the bird at all. The crop also helps with the composition, putting the bird body on the thirds line intersection.

[Wavelength]

You mean the greenery or the shadows or both?

Actually i meant both; but what Suzan said is right; sometimes we are helpless about the surroundings of the theme when it comes to Nature photography. Else one must be an expert (which i am not at all ) to handle in post processing....

Hope you will be able to handle this later...
Regards

[Barbara Ponder]

Rob, THANK YOU, it looks great!

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks Geoff I will look at those.

[ashcroft]

Rob, THANK YOU, it looks great!

I was just looking at your comment about learning Photoshop. Have you considered Lynda.com? I used them for about a year some years ago. They are excellent at both Photoshop skill (right from beginner level) up to advanced, and also camera/shooting skills. I was paying about £15 a month then, but you can cancel whenever you feel you have got far enough. http://www.lynda.com/Photography-tra...nr=NMHP_blocks