Hades Cardinal

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted September 1, 2011751 views9 comments

This female Northern Cardinal rotated her head to an incredible degree to see what I was up to. That reminded me of an old movie: The Exorcist. So, I used filters from Alien Skin Software, Topaz Labs, and Nik Software along with some CS 5 cloning and a sandstone texture to obtain this image.

P.S.: I did not alter the pose of the bird in any way. She really did turn her head as you see it!

All comments most welcome.

Techs on the original photo:

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1250, 1/1000 s, f/14, 0 EV, 12 MP (75% of 16 MP full frame), NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on September 2, 2011 at 9:13 AM

Dark and mysterious. Excellent image.

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on September 2, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Steve, the colors you used here are absolutely gorgeous. I don't think I ever would have thought of using a red background for a red bird, but it works wonderfully. The turn of the head gives it a kind of eerie feel. Very nice.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on September 2, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Great title and great image.

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on September 3, 2011 at 11:05 AM

I like the processing Steve. Ideally I'd be able to see the eye, even with the head turn. Other than that, I like this a lot - particularly the mood of it.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on September 5, 2011 at 5:44 PM

I love the back ground. I think that the head turn is awesome!

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM

Steve,
congrats on the EP. I really like the mood here. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 8, 2011 at 4:58 PM

Congrats Steve!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on September 9, 2011 at 3:09 PM

Thank you, everyone. I'm so glad that you all enjoyed the image. It was fun to compose it!

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 1, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Wow Steve, I didn't know they had a place in hell for these magnificent birds...
He must've been a Very bad boy

I think it's very creative & original, man it sure looks hot down there

Well done!

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