Bird Portraiture
Sep 10, 2016 20:50:58 #
One aspect of wildlife photography that has always interested me is portraiture. Environmental portraiture is, of course, the mainstay of wildlife photography, images which accurately portray the animal/bird in their natural environment. But every once in a while I like to take a photograph of a wild animal or bird which shows their individuality and character. This is difficult when all you get is a fleeting glimpse or when the distance is too great. Here is a sample portrait of an atlantic puffin that I just processed. Should I "mat, frame and hang" it or do more work on it?
Please download.
For some reason the EXIF data isn't showing up. Panasonic GX8 with 100-400 lens at 364mm 1/125 sec, f9, ISO 200.
Please download.
For some reason the EXIF data isn't showing up. Panasonic GX8 with 100-400 lens at 364mm 1/125 sec, f9, ISO 200.
Sep 10, 2016 21:43:50 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
First impression is "more work" Don. The back ground ain't work'n for me. Might be as simple as de-saturation, would have to study for a while.
Sep 10, 2016 21:52:20 #
Frank2013 wrote:
First impression is "more work" Don. The back ground ain't work'n for me. Might be as simple as de-saturation, would have to study for a while.
Frank, I'd like to hear from you again after your study. "Ain't working for me" tells me that there is something about it that you don't like, but not what. Is the background distracting, enhancing or maybe just irrelevant?
Thanks for looking and considering.
Sep 10, 2016 22:11:25 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
mcveed wrote:
It is a wonderfully detailed shot Don....yes, no, and I can't answer that, you were there it might be relevant to you. I can pm you a version if you like.Frank, I'd like to hear from you again after your study. "Ain't working for me" tells me that there is something about it that you don't like, but not what. Is the background distracting, enhancing or maybe just irrelevant?
Thanks for looking and considering.
Thanks for looking and considering.
Sep 10, 2016 23:12:10 #
Frank2013 wrote:
It is a wonderfully detailed shot Don....yes, no, and I can't answer that, you were there it might be relevant to you. I can pm you a version if you like.
PM not necessary Frank. I would like your ideas on what is wrong with it in your view or even how you think the flaw(s) can be corrected. I don't really want to see how you would have done it. I'm going to try a few different treatments for myself and hope some others chime in.
Don
Sep 10, 2016 23:21:45 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
Just clone from other area's on the left and get rid of the red thing behind Don. Then I just cropped and put it's eye on the thirds. The foreground bush is covering the bird and is noticeable. Even with the crop which I think improves focus on the subject, there is still the foreground bush all along the back of the bird.
Sep 11, 2016 05:39:26 #
Red, orange and yellow are all very eye-catching colours, but you can't just use global desaturation to subdue the background vegetation because red, orange and yellow are a prominent aspect of the main subject. If you can't convincingly and unobtrusively subdue that stalk just behind the puffin's head, I would consider cloning to get rid of it.
Sep 11, 2016 09:05:17 #
I had to Google puffin pics to be reminded of how prominent that bright yellow bit is on the side of its face. In yours it nearly pops off the page in 3D!
In many I viewed online, the beak was redder and the yellow spot less saturated in color. Does the time of year affect that? I know American White Pelicans show brighter leg and beak color in breeding season.
Regarding background, my preference would be for slightly less saturated green/yellow and orange and also in the out of focus foreground plants.
In many I viewed online, the beak was redder and the yellow spot less saturated in color. Does the time of year affect that? I know American White Pelicans show brighter leg and beak color in breeding season.
Regarding background, my preference would be for slightly less saturated green/yellow and orange and also in the out of focus foreground plants.
Sep 11, 2016 09:53:23 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I had to Google puffin pics to be reminded of how ... (show quote)
Hi Linda, Yes, the colour of the beak varies during the year. As breeding season approaches the beaks of both male and female puffins become brighter and more vivid. The rate of change varies with the age of the bird, and since these little cuties live up to forty years (average 20 - 25 years), there is quite a variation in a colony at any one time. The more mature birds will have darker, more red, beaks while the younger bird's beaks will be more orange. During the depths of the winter season the beaks become quite pale in colour. After the young newly born birds leave the nest and fly out to sea they stay out on the ocean for three or four years, until they are sexually mature, before returning to the colony. During this maturing period their beaks are smaller and almost colourless. But these immature birds are never seen on land. Of course the colour of the beak can also vary if your white balance is off.
Sep 11, 2016 10:48:08 #
Clone out the red/yellow flower thingy, make a layer mask for the bird, then desat the background or colour to taste.
Sep 11, 2016 10:53:24 #
#1 I think this is a lovely portrait of a beautiful bird. I think the background is quite nice - very painterly. In my artist group (mostly painters), they would LOVE that background. It's interesting, but not distracting. The colours are pleasing and complimentary to the subject and much more natural than just a simple one-colour, one-tone. I played a bit with cropping to see if it would be better with perhaps some of the left side cropped out. Frankly, I couldn't decide. Of course, the size format you choose for printing would determine part of that. I didn't help much, did I?
Sep 11, 2016 15:47:14 #
mcveed wrote:
One aspect of wildlife photography that has always... (show quote)
Don,
it's an absolutely excellent portrait. Technically unimpeachable!
I do think this is an example of perhaps overly strict adherence to the "Rule of thirds". My personal opinion is that when recognizable background detail is not discernible, the portrait subject can be moved a bit more centrally.
As for mat, frame, and hang...it is definitely deserving, but I suggest you consider float mounting.
My most recent show was, in fact, one of wildlife and zoo animal portraits and it was the second show in which I relied entirely on Float mounts. The response from the public was gratifyingly positive and sales were excellent. Also, the use of float mounts in my last two shows (combined) saved me approximately $3,500 in professional framing costs. Yeah...I HATE framing!
Great image, Don. regardless how you prepare it, it sure deserves to be on a wall in a properly illuminated site.
Dave
Sep 11, 2016 19:48:15 #
AzPicLady wrote:
#1 I think this is a lovely portrait of a beautifu... (show quote)
Actually, Kathy, you helped a great deal. You see, I carefully considered the background before I posted it and I posted a version that I personally prefer. I too think the vividness of the background matches that of the bird. I think the coloured weed stalk behind the bird complements the bird in both colour and contour. I am not troubled at all by the OOF orange plant in front of the bird. I tried softening and weakening the colours of the background and it looked contrived - like an attempt to emphasize the bird. I think the bird stands very well on his own and doesn't need a weak background to stand out. I am going to re-examine the crop as Dave suggested as well as the format, but despite some well meaning and sincere views to the contrary, this little fellow is headed for the wall.
Sep 11, 2016 19:51:31 #
Uuglypher wrote:
Don, br it's an absolutely excellent portrait. Te... (show quote)
Thanks, Dave. You right on the format and crop and I will re-examine that. I love the idea of a floating mount. I'll let you know how that turns out. I have your 3D images but I can't see them in 3D on my 27" screen. I'll have to have a look on my iPad or 12" macbook in the next couple of days.
Sep 11, 2016 22:12:40 #
I take a number of pictures of birds and small mammals. Personally, I would be completely satisfied with this picture if it were my picture ... but I don't claim to be doing portraits and I don't hang my pictures.
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