The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
After remoing the distractions, I moved on to edit in Camera RAW. I used masks to make changes in the sky, the branch, and the bird : multiple masks, the entire bird, back of the bird, top of the bird, eye, bill)
Creative direction
My focus was the look of the bird, surveying the pond. Where is his next meal coming from? He was taking his time.
Specific Feedback
Total edit from RAW image to final image.
Technical Details
Edited in LR, Photoe AI, mostly in PS.
Description
I came across this young Blue Heron, from a distance; I then walked toward the bird around the pond and was pleasantly surprised he did not fly off as I approached. I spent some time observing ithe heron before I moved my camera into position to photograph it.
Critique Template
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I’m with Glenys on this one Gary. You have retrieved a lot of colour and detail from the original shot but it has been left slightly flat. Contrast should help this. (I often find that the Contrast control itself is a bit too strong and use Texture instead).
Nice job, Gary. BTW, this is a Black-crowned Night Heron. I like what you did, but I think the grays should be just a bit darker. Maybe just a touch more contrast in just the bird.
So that’s 4 votes for more contrast, three here and one from a friend who is an excellent bird photographer back east. I seem to note that is a theme in my recent postings. I will endevor to do more contast in my images and check my monitor settings. Thanks all for your input. Cheers.
Gary, I noted your last comment about the contrast in your recent posts. I had the same feeling.
The processing you posted above looks OK. The only thing I would do different is to do all the edits I can do, in Camera Raw before moving it in to PS for a final cleanup. Every image is different but I always start in ACR and tweak the highlights and shadows first. I always look at the White Balance. I usually mask the subject and and add the smallest touch of contrast and tweak the subject again. Sometimes, the tiniest bit of masked “texture” helps as well. I keep well away from Clarity.
You have a good number of masks to give you the best results. They just need a little tweak.
