Thanks all. I cropped because it just gave more attention to the metallic effect. Including the reflection gives more importance to the composition. This wasn't a shot about a swan in the water, it's a shot about a metallic swan. Therefor, the reflection is a distraction. Here, one simply concentrates on what I want to emphasize - the effect.
The "unaffected" image is a story of a swan on a lake. Hence, I've included the reflection. Yes, I did a lot of work to clean up that filthy neck, but this isn't a story about how I cleaned up the neck, so the neck should have no significant attention to it. That is a story of a swan on a lake, so you see a swan on a lake. :)
My personal preference is the "normal" shot. The metallic swan will appear in none of my galleries. ~ Lonnit
Guest
03-Mar-2007 18:07
Even with the dirty neck, I really love the "more normal" version of the shot with it's lovely composition, full reflection, and deep brown tones. BTW, I've had the same problem photographing swans with their dirty necks from foraging in the muck. It would be worth the price of admission to see you give it a bath :-) -Michael
I like the image, Lonnit. And I can see that it must have take an amazing amount for work to get from original to final product. I would also have cloned out the twigs in the lower left, but apart from that, nothing that I can suggest as improvement. Very well done! Regards ~jnconradie
Guest
03-Mar-2007 05:44
Now there's something I want to see Lonnit... you washing a swan! LOL
It's a nice shot, and an interesting effect - the twig in the lower left is a bit distracting. I think your original shot was cool with the entire reflection... would be great if you could keep the whole thing in.
What language are you speaking? I've never done this metallic thingie before. I was just playing and playing and playing, and then it turned metallic on me and I thought, hey, cool, metallic, now THAT'S manipulation! LOL! I had SUCH problems with this dirty bird. The thing was that he was in very muddy water, and he was filthy from the neck up. I did a billion hours of all sorts of methods to lighten his upper half as much as possible. It would have been easier to go back to the lake, capture him, wash him, and shoot all over! UGH! Hence, the silver back and goldish top. Trust me, this image won't be residing anywhere else, and if I actually have time to shoot anything for the challenge, I will tell him to get the flock out of here!
I'm really tempted to say "you and your blend modes". But I won't! Anyway: Nice swan shot - nice mirror effect, and.. umm.. (don't hit me) more limited success with the metallic effect.
I like the back (apart from the halo) but not the front. Would have added the more blueish hue from the back on the neck/head, the colors there are too warm now IMO. A change of hue would give a more consistant cool lighting. Like the whole swan is swimming at night..not only the tail :P I do like the silky silvery blue shine there.
Then there is that.. that.. "bushnell-brushnell-shrapnell" thingie bottom left.. I feel obliged to mention it - it might just become tradition. (Your lesson from last time has left the building.. what was that word again..)
Malapropos: You've probably played with this but one blend-thingie I find amusing myself at times is to reverse colors:
Duplicate working layer. Inverse the dup. Set blend-mode to color. Voila: Instant Night Scene. Cheap, quick and efficient.
(Btw.. You don't happen to have a spare wing? I'm trying to scissor together another one for exhibition, and am stuck with gulls. (j/k))
