Two Swans (My attempt at a low key image)

[Rebel]

I spotted a couple of swans as I was driving into Swansea city centre so I pulled off the dual carriage way and made my way down to the mini lake they were swimming about in, saw a rabbit and a heron on the way too but they were too quick for me

It was a very dull day and and the back ground was poor so I tried a bit of PP to make it a sort of low key looking image, I've always wanted to try it and I'm pretty happy with the first attempt.



Here is the updated and hopefully improved version:

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Loved it Matt

[Geoff F]

Needs viewing at full screen size. This small image looks a bit 'muddy', which totally changes with the better resolution.

[Kris V]

I really like the low-key approach on this image!

[Rebel]

Thanks all, I've got another 2 shots of them in different poses which I plan to process in the same way so I'm glad you liked them

[John 2]

Needs viewing at full screen size. This small image looks a bit 'muddy', which totally changes with the better resolution.

I agree. My only thought is that at the moment the first thing that draws my eye are the highlight areas on their bodies. Lightening their heads and necks would change that.

[Ziggy]

Nice image Matt.

Like John I think a better balance on the highlights between the bodies and heads would only make this image better.

[purplehaze]

+1 to John and Jim.

[Rebel]

Thanks all, I was actually thinking that exact same thing myself.

It looks like the weather is bad again today so I'm gonna spend a day indoor working on some PP!

[JBW]

Don't know 'low key' but I do like it.

[Rebel]

Thanks Brian.

Ok I have tried to brighten the heads of the swans slightly and I think it is an improvement:

[GBO25]

First up Matt I definitely like the image and the treatment you've given it. The white swans and their relections just look great standing out from the dark surrounding area.

My only beef would be that the brihter highlights are just a bit blown out to my taste. Unless it's my monitor that is

[Rebel]

First up Matt I definitely like the image and the treatment you've given it. The white swans and their relections just look great standing out from the dark surrounding area.

My only beef would be that the brihter highlights are just a bit blown out to my taste. Unless it's my monitor that is

Thanks Graham, some of the highlights are bright but I don't think any are "technically" blown.

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Graham, some of the highlights are bright but I don't think any are "technically" blown.

According to an analysis app. called ImageJ, they are not bright at all but they look "blown" because of low local contrast in certain areas:




The histogram shows very little contrast in the selected area. The average level of 185 is almost gray and one would expect more in a swan shot. However, the variation of only 2.879 levels shows the lack of contrast. I would suggest increasing local contrast significantly in the lighter areas of the image. Curves might do it?

P.S. is the sharpening halo done deliberately to outline the swans?

[Rebel]

Hey thanks Ted, I don't really get that technical with my images... I have tried what you suggested though, it might need a bit more contrast looking at it now:

[KimC]

These are beautiful Matt; you're a man of many talents.

[Rebel]

These are beautiful Matt; you're a man of many talents.

Thank you Kim