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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 68: Xtreme (host: Nico Conradie) >> Eligible > Falconry
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20-MAY-2006 RK

Falconry


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alexeig30-May-2006 17:26
I like this harsh treatment much more than the original picture you have submitted to CTF
Photogenix28-May-2006 01:48
Thanks Michael, Bob, JimH and Supadeluxe.
I see what you mean...will try to fix the picture with my limited PS skills as per your recommendation.
- RK
Guest 27-May-2006 15:32
Great shot no matter how you gopt here.
Canon DSLR Challenge27-May-2006 12:05
I do like the way what you've done with this makes this photo much more striking and emphasizes the elements that then create a nice composition in the frame. I might like to see a bit more of the entire beak but I'm not sure how you'd accomplish that since it's kind of a dark color. Still, to me, the beak is a big part of the "statement" in this shot. Emphasizing the very tip of it would, for me, give this shot just that last bit of perfection, I think, by making the bird look more "dangerous". Jim H.
Canon DSLR Challenge26-May-2006 13:38
I keep coming back to look at this, I really like it but I agree with Michael... I want to see a little more of those tail feathers because for me... they have a dramatic impact on this magnificant creature. Likewise, just a little more beak exposure to just make out the curved tip. I fiddled with my monitor thinking I may have the black level set too high. But.. thems just my feelings. Great image though.. well done. ~ Bob
Guest 24-May-2006 05:52
A very dramatic piece distilled from your original image, well done. Personally, I would like to see a bit more of those elegant tail feathers in the final piece, but I would never have brought this up if you hadn't shared the original image. -Michael
jnconradie23-May-2006 06:49
Thanks for the workflow explanation, RK. Much appreciated. ~jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge22-May-2006 23:42
Thanks Lee, Victor, Nico and Brent for the comments/feedback. Have re-posted the image.
Victor, I dont see any noise near the dark side of the falcon (atleast on my monitor)...did clone out some of errant white specs.
Brent...think I took care of the hot pixels around the beak area.
Nico...following is the work flow used for this.
- duplicate layer and apply 'threshold' and use the defaults
- Use the darken mode to merge the layers.
- Increase saturation.
- Bit of levels and curves.
- Moderate USM

Following is the original picture used -


- RK
Canon DSLR Challenge21-May-2006 15:27
Very nice RK. A very interesting image to look at. I think it looks great but would consider cloning out the tiny points of light near his beak area that made me think my monitor had developed a couple of stuck pixels for a minute. Well done!
-Brent
jnconradie21-May-2006 09:55
Thanks, RK, for an entry that intrigues me. I am sure the "older hands" at this game know exactly how to give this look and feel to a picture, but I have to confess I am not too sure. Would you mind a short explanation? I would personally perhaps have preferred to see less hand and more bird in the picture, but this is probably more a matter of personal taste. Thank again for the rather unique entry. ~jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge21-May-2006 00:20
I like this a lot. I have a couple of minor quibbles, one of which is easy to fix. There is some noise near the dark side of the falcon (foliage in the background maybe?). I suggest cloning that out or using levels or something to get rid of it.

My other quibble is that I'd like to see the falcon's talons, but the handler's fingers are in the way. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge20-May-2006 23:44
Very pretty bird and nice shot.
theFly