A White-winged Dove VARIATION

An interesting comp. I like everything you have done, but I would suggest looking at a crop to a square format to remove the OOF tree bole on the left side. Also, there seems to be a bit of the BG above the bird's head that is in focus. Was that a miss or is it actually an object?

Just for my edification—I know the D700 has the capability to do DX format, but what governed your choice? Was it the lens, or was some improvement gained from the choice?

A very creative and beautiful composition, Carol. The colors in this species work so well with the bw background. My first reaction was to agree with Phil about cropping out the OOF tree on the LHS. However, the more I look at this, the more uncertain I am about that idea. It would reduce space in front of the bird substantially. Also, as is, it helps provide depth to the image.

An interesting image, and for the most part an effective use of the monochrome filter. I'm guessing that you have also reduced the saturation of the dove slightly as well: at least the WWDOs in our back yard here in Phoenix show more color and saturation in their brown feathers.

Phil has pointed out the strange look of the leaves at the nape of the dove. To my eye they appear to be cloned multiple times from the clump at the left edge directly opposite the dove's head.

An interesting and artistic rendering Carol. I'd like a touch more room for the tail. The colors of the bird don't look quite right to me but that may have been intentional to go with the bg?

An interesting effect caused by the B & W filter used on the background Carol. Nice idea.

I see the issue Phil mentioned, I think you could work that out. I also see a straight line area to the left of the branch the bird is perched on at the bottom of the frame. Not sure what that is.

Thank you all for your comments.

This is a slight variation of the original. I used Hi Pass Sharpening rather than Smart Sharpening. And I treated the BG differently using Gaussian blur rather than Content Fill and cloning techniques.

The colors of the bird haven't been touched. I think we all need to remember that species vary differently in different parts of the country (possibly diet would be my guess ). Also colors are perceived differently when viewed against different backgrounds. I did lose a bit of the blue color around the eye with this attempt and I think that may have come from different sharpening techniques. I don't know for sure but didn't notice until the image was ready for final preparation.

I like both variations but I like this one because it does do a better job with the FG OOF tree trunk; I like the original because of the gray tones and try as I might I wasn't able to replicate that.

Nate, you're right, that tail almost got clipped but decided I didn't want to add additional canvas. Just something else to watch the next time I shoot.

Mia, sometimes in processing if you use channels and luminosity masks and then eliminate some of the selected areas, PS leaves artifacts. This has been true in all versions of PS including CS 5. It drives me a bit batty

Again thank you for viewing and leaving your comments. They help me grow both as a photographer as well as increasing my knowledge of PS techniques.



Carol

Both versions are very attractive, Carol. However, I think that I still prefer the original because of the grey tones and because the background is a pattern (in the new version the pattern in the upper rhs has become more of an OOF blob than in the original). It is all personal preference at this stage!