[luftfluss]

Thanks, Luftfluss!

On a 32 degree day, the aviary left a sprinkler on, and this Gouldian Finch wasn't going to miss out.

And here I am thinking it was during a sunshower. Whatever the circumstance, the result is lovely.

[luftfluss]

A few more from my "mystery lens" at 500mm...

[boriscleto]

Thanks, Luftfluss!

On a 32 degree day, the aviary left a sprinkler on, and this Gouldian Finch wasn't going to miss out.

32C. This weekend it isn't even going to make it to 32F here...

[clackers]

32C. This weekend it isn't even going to make it to 32F here...

Ouch!

I'd prefer your June to ours, though.

[sculptor666]

k-1, da*300mm

[derekkite]

Beautiful shots. It's so small that the members of this genus are called a pygmy-owls (Glaucidium sp.). Northern Pygmy-Owl, in this case (G. gnoma). That's quite the good luck finding that bird.

They are relatively common around here. This location, the very branch is where I saw one two years ago. Cute as a button but fierce hunters. I heard a commotion outside our home once and it was one of these trying to make a meal of a Northern flicker.

[RockvilleBob]

I am finally getting around to making a print from a two year old shoot at Conowingo - with the K3 with Sigma 500
This will be my first print with an overlaid sky background so I thought I would post here and welcome any suggestions before spending the bucks for the print. The print will be about 45 inches wide on aluminum.
The image was processed mostly using ON1 with some final feathering and refined edge in Photoshop.
Here's the original and the print version - yeah I also do not like doctored backgrounds but the shot came out good and there wasn't a wisp of a cloud in the sky.

Attached Images

   

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Last edited by RockvilleBob; 03-01-2017 at 09:01 AM.

[tim60]

The sun direction does not seem to match. I prefer the plain sky version, on my phone.

[ccc_]

I am finally getting around to making a print from a two year old shoot at Conowingo - with the K3 with Sigma 500
This will be my first print with an overlaid sky background so I thought I would post here and welcome any suggestions before spending the bucks for the print. The print will be about 45 inches wide on aluminum.
The image was processed mostly using ON1 with some final feathering and refined edge in Photoshop.
Here's the original and the print version - yeah I also do not like doctored backgrounds but the shot came out good and there wasn't a wisp of a cloud in the sky.

half the pictures I process now my wife asks...is that real?
on1 does a great job of masking and layering, doesn't it?

[luftfluss]

My vote goes to the "doctored" version. At least at web size it looks like you did a great job.

[jack002]

with some final feathering and refined edge in Photoshop

Oh, that was a pun, right?

I also vote for the doctored one. Excellent photo!

[jacamar]

I wouldn't do that kind of doctoring unless it was clear I was having fun with it - a Polar Bear under a palm tree, for example.

[RockvilleBob]

The sun direction does not seem to match. I prefer the plain sky version, on my phone.

Thanks for the observation and taking the time to let me know I will look to rotate the layer and/or lighten up the right side of the clouds.

---------- Post added 03-01-17 at 05:47 PM ----------

half the pictures I process now my wife asks...is that real?
on1 does a great job of masking and layering, doesn't it?

As a long time NIK user, who paid about $400 for the package, I was disappointed to see its demise after Google butchered the acquisition. I struggled to keep NIK afloat but Photoshop CC basically killed NIK. ON1 has about 90+% of the NIK features and does them better. It is just the time needed to learn a package. I sense Macphun is even better but right now LUMINOUS is strictly on MAC with PC to come. I use both MAC and PC.
But yes - ON1 is terrific and I am still learning.

---------- Post added 03-01-17 at 05:48 PM ----------

My vote goes to the "doctored" version. At least at web size it looks like you did a great job.

Thanks for the feedback - I feel a large print just needs something besides blue sky - 45 inches is a lot of blue. Otherwise I am with jacamar and do not do doctoring. I just wanted an eagle picture and felt there was just too much blue for a 45 inch wide print.

---------- Post added 03-01-17 at 05:52 PM ----------

Oh, that was a pun, right?

I also vote for the doctored one. Excellent photo!

Thanks - for the feedback

[acoufap]

I am finally getting around to making a print from a two year old shoot at Conowingo - with the K3 with Sigma 500
This will be my first print with an overlaid sky background so I thought I would post here and welcome any suggestions before spending the bucks for the print. The print will be about 45 inches wide on aluminum.
The image was processed mostly using ON1 with some final feathering and refined edge in Photoshop.
Here's the original and the print version - yeah I also do not like doctored backgrounds but the shot came out good and there wasn't a wisp of a cloud in the sky.

The image has a very simple composition: big areas of strong blue and the eagle with a good quality of structure in the feathers.

So I can imagine a terrific black & white image. Hence I’d suggest going this route using the original version (without clouds).

Use a black & white conversion tool. First step activate the tool that incorporates a digital color filter set (sliders). Vary the „Blue“ slider to your taste. It controls the amount of transparency of the blue. I think I’d go very light grey, nearly white for the background. Utilize the eagle to be the microstructured contrast. Because the feathers salvages a lot of structure that you may want to emphasize they should also be a little brighter. Enhance microcontrast of the feathers in a local adjustement. Put in some silver grain … just my two cents - it’s worth a try I think.

[RockvilleBob]

The image has a very simple composition: big areas of strong blue and the eagle with a good quality of structure in the feathers.

So I can imagine a terrific black & white image. Hence I’d suggest going this route using the original version (without clouds).

Use a black & white conversion tool. First step activate the tool that incorporates a digital color filter set (sliders). Vary the „Blue“ slider to your taste. It controls the amount of transparency of the blue. I think I’d go very light grey, nearly white for the background. Utilize the eagle to be the microstructured contrast. Because the feathers salvages a lot of structure that you may want to emphasize they should also be a little brighter. Enhance microcontrast of the feathers in a local adjustement. Put in some silver grain … just my two cents - it’s worth a try I think.

Great idea - i will give it a try - thanks