Green watersnake portraits

[Sushigaijin]

just a couple portraits of nerodia cyclopion, the green watersnake. Where this was found in southern Illinois they are rare and have made the state ESA list. I was fortunate to find one, and it really did help make my trip. I think I like the first one best, but the second one might be improved if i clone out some of the bright catch-lighting. opinions?

Erik.

[Old Timer]

Great detail in the portrait. I'm sure his mom will be thrilled with these. Not sure I really want to get that up close and personal with these creatures. Nice job.

[Loupey]

Erik, I like the second one better for its got a better posture (nice "S" shape leading away/to the head). Reducing the intensity of some of the catchlights would definitely help. Not sure if I would recommend removing the catchlights completely.

Also, not knowing your specific camera controls, can you tone down the intensity of your flash output? These seem overly flashed IMO. I'm sure that the ambient lighting was pretty low, but exposing more for the backgrounds may have improved it.

[Sushigaijin]

Loupey:

Thanks for the advice, I wasn't 100% happy with these either...I had already spent some time cloning out catch lights, etc, before finally deciding that it was better the way it came. maybe it is the bright background that takes away from it, I took that picture pretty much in the dark, there was just enough light to make focusing possible. Here's another edit, do you like this one better? why or why not?

Erik.

[Loupey]

I figured that the existing light level must have been pretty low so using a strobe had to be a given.

Although I like less catchlights, your repost seemed mottled. If you used the Shadow/Highlights tool, this would explain that. This tool should be used very sparingly for that reason as well as the fact that it leaves ghosting around the edges - especially hard edges against OOF neutal areas (blue sky, gray rock, etc).

I played around with your image to see how to minimize the flash effect. I found that darkening the horizontal tail section below the head and the body area to the left of the nose helps. Once those areas are darkened, re-contrasted, and color corrected, the entire image seems more balanced.

Just let me know if you'd like to see it.

Hope that helps.

[quetzal]

Very good pics I think. I like the very first one alot.

[Sushigaijin]

Loupey:

Of COURSE I'd like to see it..
I just used a little burn, although I've considered a little color burn might be better.


E

[Loupey]

Loupey:

Of COURSE I'd like to see it..
I just used a little burn, although I've considered a little color burn might be better.


E

....OK....

[Sushigaijin]

Thanks loupey, I agree that it does look a lot more balanced. I'll be playing with it a little later to see if i can duplicate your workflow.

Erik.