Give me your opinion 3 pp BIF

I took these the other day and managed to blow the feathers out on the egret and even parts of the great blue heron. Instead of tossing them I had a little fun with that strange filter I didn't think I'd ever use. The negative filter in lightroom.
Everyone likes giving their opinion don't they? So, let me hear yours.
The last is a crop of the second photo. Is the crop an improvement or is the original composition more to your liking? Purists will definitely baulk at these and that is ok.

[sawtooth235]

LaRee,

I'm not sure why, but I like these. It may be the "ghostly" appearance, or the fact that they are negative images. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Cool anyway!

Ray

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by LaRee

I took these the other day and managed to blow the feathers out on the egret and even parts of the great blue heron. Instead of tossing them I had a little fun with that strange filter I didn't think I'd ever use. The negative filter in lightroom.
Everyone likes giving their opinion don't they? So, let me hear yours.
The last is a crop of the second photo. Is the crop an improvement or is the original composition more to your liking? Purists will definitely baulk at these and that is ok.

Purists??!!! Where's the hands over my eyes icon??? Just kidding LaRee....

The crop (#3) IMHO is the better of #2 and #3: I see better balance in that image, as opposed to the second (original) image. In the second image, the subject seems to be too small. I think they are kinda cool, although I'd probably be tossed out in an instant if I ever posted anything like that on the Nature Photographers forum!

EDIT: I agree about #1 being the best, since #2 and #3 are dimmer subjects. (I just commented initially on the crop question, so I updated my post.)

Regards,
Marc

[roentarre]

The first one is my favorite out of the three.

The glow and light in the first shot really draws attention while the next two seem a little dim to allow viewers' eyes wandering all over the image.

[Damn Brit]

That's a cool effect LaRee, it adds to the gracefulness of the birds, almost balletic. It's good to stumble upon something by accident, well done for not throwing them. They kind of remind me of those glass ornaments you can buy with images laser etched inside them, know what I mean?

[gawan]

Very interesting, I like them, did the filter enhance the half transparency of the wings?

It would be interesting to see the original from the first to examine what the filter does, apart from reversing the colours.

[vievetrick]

It is different but not for me. If I had to pick one I did it would be #1.

[LaRee]

Originally Posted by Marc Langille

Purists??!!! Where's the hands over my eyes icon??? Just kidding LaRee....

The crop (#3) IMHO is the better of #2 and #3: I see better balance in that image, as opposed to the second (original) image. In the second image, the subject seems to be too small. I think they are kinda cool, although I'd probably be tossed out in an instant if I ever posted anything like that on the Nature Photographers forum!

EDIT: I agree about #1 being the best, since #2 and #3 are dimmer subjects. (I just commented initially on the crop question, so I updated my post.)

Regards,
Marc

Thank you for the feedback Marc. Yep, the nature photographers are cringing on these. Hey, wait a minute, I AM a nature photographer and these work for me. Oh yeah, I'm not a *real* nature photographer mind you. But I do take photos of nature. I think there is a distinction there.

Originally Posted by roentarre

The first one is my favorite out of the three.

The glow and light in the first shot really draws attention while the next two seem a little dim to allow viewers' eyes wandering all over the image.

Good point Jim and thank you for bringing that to my attention.

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

That's a cool effect LaRee, it adds to the gracefulness of the birds, almost balletic. It's good to stumble upon something by accident, well done for not throwing them. They kind of remind me of those glass ornaments you can buy with images laser etched inside them, know what I mean?

Thank you Gary. I am always up for exploring ways to change the common view. I like spicing it up a bit now and then. The thing I liked was the way the feather detail was enhanced with this filter.

Originally Posted by gawan

Very interesting, I like them, did the filter enhance the half transparency of the wings?

It would be interesting to see the original from the first to examine what the filter does, apart from reversing the colours.

I'll see if I can dig the original up for you to see. I am currently working in another catalog in Lightroom. When I am done, I'll go back and see if I can find the original and post it for you. But I'm warning you, it ain't gonna be pretty!

Originally Posted by vievetrick

It is different but not for me. If I had to pick one I did it would be #1.

I understand, too gimmicky for some, too out there for others. It's cool. I appreciate you taking the time to look AND to post and pick one.