Grackle in Jeopardy

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted June 5, 2011108 views6 comments

This composite image utilized one of a common grackle that I just recently posted on the Avian Gallery
(http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=174230&CGISESSID=4321cf1d2b224b18c1849b0e2187e2a6&u=18067 )

and another of Bubba, our cat. Bubba likes to hunt birds but, I'm happy to say, he doesn't like to catch them.

To emphasize the two subjects here I used Snap Art 2 in order to create a watercolor effect for the bg and superimposed the photographic images of cat and bird. I also applied a texture across the photographic images to match that of the bg.

This was a fun project for me. I don't like grackles…..(please see my comments in the Avian Gallery posting).

P.S.: As a relative newcomer to Photo Art I just now noticed the forum and mention of the June Challenge. I think that I could do this without a filter (ref: "Digital Painting in Photoshop by Susan Ruddick Bloom)....but it was sure easier with the filter!

All comments most welcome.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on June 5, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Hi Steve, looks like someone's getting ready for lunch! I hope you'll like posting in the Photo Art gallery; it's my favorite gallery to post my images. You could probably enhance your image without a filter by possibly using some texture overlays. David has really given us a great challenge for June, especially for those of us who use filters and plug-ins a lot, like me. I tried using Snap Art 2 and really like the effects you can achieve. I may have to put up the $$ to buy it as I only used the trial for 15 days. Have you used it much? Keep on posting; we'd love to see more from you.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on June 5, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Thank you, Barbara. I'm increasingly aware at how vast and diverse is nature photography. Each area has its attractions for me. A major attraction of photo art is that I am free to use the full power of digital photography software and hardware to express my ideas: I didn't need to wait to capture this cat in pursuit of this grackle. The grackle was relaxed and perched in our cedars; the cat was pursuing (and purposefully not catching) a squirrel on our lawn. How much realism is in the image is up to me too. That makes photo art a unique part of nature photography. I purchased Snap Art with the intention of learning much more about this area. So, I'm really just a beginner with the program. My initial steps are just to combine it with realistic photographs and figure out how best to employ some creativity in its use via textures, layers, brushes, etc. So far I'm quite impressed with the breadth and flexibility of the program. Especially when combined with the power of CS5, there are so many possibilities! I much appreciate your welcome, Barbara. To be continued.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on June 6, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Steve,
I can see a feline look very interested in the situation.

I really like the effect you got here. Very creative image.

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

Comment posted by Rob Graham on June 6, 2011 at 6:22 PM

nice job combining the images, I like the limited texture on the bird and cat compared to the background

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on June 7, 2011 at 12:56 PM

I really like the composite Steve. It is really cool the way the bird stands out from the BG. My only nit is the texture, I think the image would look stronger without it. Super image.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on June 8, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Thank you, everyone, for the very helpful feedback.

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