What technical feedback would you like if any? Is there a better way to highlight a specific point of color in a fairly monotone image background?
What artistic feedback would you like if any? Would you have gone with more/less color in the eyes or maybe a different one (more green/emerald?)
Pertinent technical details or techniques:
Nikon D500, 1/1000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800, 400mm; Trying the Nikon 80-400 mm lens f4.5-5.6 today). Went with faster speed to freeze the water movement - knowing that the ISO would be greater than I wanted.
(If this is a composite, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn). I am using Lightroom ClassicâŚ
Image is cropped about 30% to get the spotlight from right corner diagonal to cross the eyes. The Crocodile was swimming in the shade and everything was a murky muddy green/brown.
I wanted to do B&W - but I did not get the results anticipated. I then went to the HSL/Color section in LR and under saturation and took most all colors down to -100 except orange and yellow and a touch of green. This almost got me to where I wanted - but it also bleached out the eye color - so I used the adjustment brush and âaddedâ the color back into the eye and the reflection.
Thank you for any feedback!
***I got a heads up on the new version Topaz Studio 2. Used it to Clear up the noise, and to fine tune the colors. It also had a feature to extra sharpen⌠Thought you might be interested is seeing the difference between the LR Classic post processing and the Topaz Studio 2. I think this version has a much more âDangerousâ feel to itâŚ
(Thank you @Chuck_Gangas for the info)
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You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
Might be an interesting idea for you. but since itâs cropped to 30%, I think youâre going to far, needs more space all around, especially left side. First fundamental rule I always practice to make the environment part of the image. This is far too cramped for my tastes.
EJ, apart from what @Bill_Leggett mentioned about the crop, I think you have done well with the color of the water. I think the color o the eye is fine, too. I have not seen these guys in this kind of situation myself, so I canât comment on the color accuracy. I do find the ripple on the lower left corner distracting. I would consider cloning it out and if it were mine, I would consider cleaning up at least some if not most of the water bubbles as well.
Excellent sharpness and I love the dark colored water. I agree with the other suggestions about the cropping being too tight and also the cloning of the bubbles. I downloaded the image and cloned the bubbles and I think it helped a bunch.
Unfortuately the 30% cropped was on the RIGHT side and below. The angle I was shooting prevented me for getting more clear water on the left. It was cropped to keep it as clean and simple as possible.
If I had moved to another area, I would have lost the light.
Agree with the comments about tight crop, I find the ripples around nose and head very interesting and would have preferred to see more of them.
Bill did a nice job on cloning the bright white spots.
Too bad about the framing, EJ. Iâve missed on framing more often than I care to admit. I will say that the water is exceptionally clear, and @Bill_Chambers did a good job cleaning up the bubbles.
I love the colors in this - they look realistic. Iâll be the odd woman out here, and say that I loved the bubbles! My first impression was that the gator (or crocodile?) was swimming in space - the bubbles looked like stars.
