The Shadow Of My Smile

[Coastal Flyer]

The secretary bird for the quills representing the once common writing instrument of secretaries.

CF

[AmberC]

Wow! That is really nice! :thumbsup:

[Old Timer]

Wonderful image CF.

[Dylan8i]

great image.

makes me wonder, i've never heard of secretary birds in captivity, i wonder if they actually feed them snakes. I doubt it but is seems like it might be hard to get them to eat otherwise.

[Coastal Flyer]

Dylan/Old Timer/Amber:

Thanks very much for the kind words. I really appreciate your comments and positive feedback. As for the diet, I can't comment on that. This bird was walking about a large enclosure of hard packed dirt. I did not notice feeders but then I was not looking for them; I was taken by the bird itself, which is quite large.

Thanks again.

CF

[karen m.]

What a striking picture, very nice

[Loupey]

CF, excellent job "seeing" the image.

Since, I see you posted this in the Critique forum, can I suggest an alternate crop? I have a modified version if you care to see.

[Coastal Flyer]

Loupey,

Please, I would like to see what you have for this shot.

CF

[Loupey]

OK, what you think of this.

IMO, the story is just between the head and the shadow of the head. I eliminated all else.

The contrast was quite high so I flattened it out (reverse S-curve), adjusted levels somewhat, changed the color slightly, then reapplied a traditional S-curve to bring back some contrast.

[Coastal Flyer]

Loupey,

I am embarrased to admit this, but given the point of the entire web site is to become a better photographer..., when I originally posted this image I thought it perhaps good enough to get an Image Of The Day. But, your changes are incredible and make all the difference between what was a decent shot to one that is pretty doggone good. I looked at my image for the longest time and couldn't figure out what it was you would do to it; I couldn't see where a cropping was even available. My concern for a crop that tight was critiques saying they needed more of the bird- "where are its feet!!" As for the PS changes, I am just learning PS so I would never have come up with those. I don't even know what an S curve is.

Thanks for taking the time to work on this for me. The tips are, as we know, "worth a thousand words." I really appreciate it.

CF

[Jaedon]

Awesome shot CF!! I'd have to say it is one of the best ones I have ever seen you post. I like both the original and the tighter crop that Loupey did as well. Simply elegant.

Theres a PS Tutorial CD or 2 floating around the Bittorrent world if you know how to search for it. The tutorial covers every feature, tool and element of the program and pretty much can show you anything that you think you might want to know.. and everything else in between.

I am halfway through CD1 now and my post work is improving a thousand fold even though the changes are subtle, they make a world of difference.

[Coastal Flyer]

Jaedon,

Thanks very much for the comments. I truly appreciate you taking the time. I bought myself Photoshop for Dummies for Christmas and am making my way through Chapter One. I will get through this and if I am still struggling I will look for your recommended CD's.

Thanks again.

CF

[Knight]

Wow very impressive indeed You should be really proud of this one , well Captured

[Coastal Flyer]

Knight,

Thanks very much. I felt pretty good about it and feel even better after Loupey's suggestions. I have made the adjustments on the original and like it even more.

Thanks again.

CF

[Loupey]

From all the recommendations here on PR, I bought Scott Kelby's book on CS2 a week before Christmas as a gift to myself. Still haven't cracked it open yet

Old habits are hard to break. Still using the basics I'm afraid. No layers, no masks, no filters, ... But have found a few common steps that I utilize everytime.

Perhaps knowing less is better I'll let you know if and when I ever study that darn book.

[Bevb]

Great picture Coastal Flyer, i agree with Jaedon certainly one of your best!

[Coastal Flyer]

Thanks, Bev.

CF