Penguin at Kelly Tarlton's

[Jim A]

(the late) Kelly Tarlton is the name of the man in New Zealand who had the vision for an aquarium where fish, sharks and rays as well as other sea life could be observed not only in front but above and around the viewer. Furthermore a travellator takes the viewer through the arched pathway. The first was built in Auckland, New Zealand and has been copied in locations around the world. Obviously this penguin is in a slightly separate area of the complex.

[Manfred M]

It's nice to see that they are still in business. We visited there some 20+ years ago and my oldest daughter got really excited when she saw on of the penguins holding an egg on its feet. This image of yours brings back some wonderful memories of a trip to New Zealand. Do they still run you through the penguin exhibit on a little "train"?

A couple of issues pop right out at me here.

1. The crop is a bit tight on the right hand edge; and

2. The two penguins are so close together that they are connected and are seen as the subject by the viewer. This would be more effective if the penguin in the back was as sharp as the one in front.

[Jim A]

Had a go at it Manfred, since I had blurred the background including the back penguin, that part was relatively easy. Though I'm not sure whether the penguin at the rear is sharp enough even yet.

The train is no longer there, Manfred. We seem to recall it from a decade and more back in time.

[Manfred M]

The rear penguin is a bit better, but still noticeably soft.

I took your image into Topaz Sharpen AI and used a layer mask to blend just the head, wind and feet with your original. I think that extra step made it pretty close. Too back about the wing on the camera right penguin.

I mentioned that the train is gone to my wife and got a sad face... Kelly Tarlton's is the first place we encountered the wrap / around walk through aquarium concept. There are more imitators out there now, but the concept is still wonderful.

[Wavelength]

I feel much improvement in this second image

[lovelife65]

Love this image. Beautiful penguins, fantastic colors. Nice edit done from Manfred.

[Jim A]

I was looking for something else and just came across this older thread - must have got distracted at the time. Thanks for your input, Manfred, your version certainly makes a difference and improvement!