Isolated Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted January 20, 201194 views14 comments

Isolating the Bird from the Background: West Indian Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arborea)

Lately I've been experimenting with methods of isolating the bird from the background. I decided to take advantage of the latest selection tools in CS5 and the newest version of Bokeh 2 (Alien Skin Software) to have another try at blurring the background. In my last try at this several months ago everyone preferred the original over the blurred version. So, here is my latest attempt. Both the small version and the large version have the background blurred with Bokeh 2 simulating a Canon 300 mm f/2.8 at f/5.6. In addition, below I'll post the original version before the application of Bokeh 2.

This is the third image of the West Indian Whistling Duck that I've posted. This one too is from my trip to Cayman Brac. Recall that these ducks are considered "vulnerable" because of their very limited range and small numbers.

I would like to know which image you prefer and why. Of course, I welcome any other comments too.

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1000, 1/1000 s, f/10.0, 0 EV, 10.5 MP after cropping, NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 20, 2011 at 10:50 PM

Here is the original before application of Bokeh 2.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 21, 2011 at 12:08 AM

The software is impressive but what I like best are those huge bluish feet. I really like the pose too. I like the original without the software too.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 21, 2011 at 12:13 AM

The software did a great job, Steve, and if you had to select the foreground, you did a great job on that. I prefer the blurred version in this case, though I might back off on it a little to bring more sense of habitat into the image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 21, 2011 at 9:42 AM

Steve,
I like both the version. The original allows me to better understand the habitat, the processed version brings this beautiful duck out very well. I agree with Dennis that a bit less blurred version could be even better.
I love the pose and the expression and those big feet. Great work!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 21, 2011 at 12:05 PM

That software certainly works wonders... very nicely done and good move keeping the FG in focus - a true amatuer would have blurred that too!

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 21, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Steve,

I actually prefer the original version without the blurred background. For me the original has a more natural appearance and shows the bird in its habitat.

I like the pose of the duck, the stretched out neck and the great view of the feet.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM

Hi Steve

I think you did well to blurr the natural habitat in this case. it does nothing to me.....love the pose of. this duck, and its huge webbed feet. would change the title to "hope the waters warm"

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 22, 2011 at 5:15 AM

Hi, Steve. I like the blurred bg version because the expression of the duck stands out so well and is very poignant. I like the original version because I love to get a sense of the habitat of birds and animals. I like the idea of a blur somewhere between the two. Excellent shot and great processing on both.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 22, 2011 at 8:58 AM

I like the pose combined with the side POV Steve, this duck knows where it wants to go

Have the Bokeh 2, but haven't really experimented with it much yet..
Great job on this BG

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 22, 2011 at 9:42 AM

I like the unblurred version myself. I like the habitat and the bird is still easily seen. These are cool birds Steve.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 22, 2011 at 10:21 AM

I also like the original version, as it helps explain away that bright area that is rock. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 22, 2011 at 12:09 PM

nice pose, Steve. I actually prefer your blurred version--the only part of the surroundings that I miss are the nice green leaves in the upper right.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 23, 2011 at 12:09 AM

I like the blurred version but agree that maybe less blurring would work, too. This is an awesome capture of this pose, and such clear detail.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 23, 2011 at 4:59 PM

Thank you all for your very thoughtful comments. I find it so interesting to see the range of preferences here: they ranged from current blur as posted to less blur than posted to no blur at all (the original as posted). No one wanted more blur than that posted. In practice it is easy to change blur to whatever is desired. Changing the selection previous to blurring can readily allow more into the unblurred part of the image too. Accurate selection is important. Tailoring gradation from sharp to blurred in a realistic way can be a bit tricky and I think is best avoided if possible (as I did here). Based upon these results, my current impression is that this approach can be a good way to tailor an image with a busy background to the viewers preference.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments