Building a nest: Since I can only walk to my local park, I've been watching this heron build a nest for the last few days. It's interesting that it does most of the work between about...

ksmmike

Since I can only walk to my local park, I've been watching this heron build a nest for the last few days. It's interesting that it does most of the work between about 9am and 10 am. I guess once it gets too hot, it quits.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

ksmmike wrote:

Since I can only walk to my local park, I've been watching this heron build a nest for the last few days. It's interesting that it does most of the work between about 9am and 10 am. I guess once it gets too hot, it quits.

Nice effects.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Exquisite photos and artwork. Mahalo for sharing.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Excellent.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very artistic!

ksmmike

Thanks all for looking and the kind remarks.

Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

Love these!

ksmmike

I was asked to share information about how I do these photos and more information in general.
Both were taken with a Nikon D850 and a Nikon 300mm F4 lens (the newer one). They were taken on different days. Each were at F4 and 1/2500 however I think one was at 100 ISO and the other at 200 ISO.

The painting technique is from an online class I took many years ago from a photographer named Sherron Sheppard. I don't know if she still offers the class or not. She teaches many methods in the class and I combined 2 or 3 of them. Another in my class still posts things in FB and hers look like oil paintings, so there are many ways to make them look. Each one I do is unique because I use a Wacon tablet and use multiple brushes and brush strokes in Photoshop so its impossible to make 2 look alike, similar yes, not exact.

I hope that helps.
thanks
Mike

srscary Loc: Cary, NC

Nice! The background works very well with the picture.

Indrajeet Singh Loc: Goa, India

Nicely done.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Very nice.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

ksmmike wrote:

Since I can only walk to my local park, I've been watching this heron build a nest for the last few days. It's interesting that it does most of the work between about 9am and 10 am. I guess once it gets too hot, it quits.

Very artistic. Well done!

ksmmike

Thanks all for checking them out and the kind words.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

ksmmike wrote:

Since I can only walk to my local park, I've been watching this heron build a nest for the last few days. It's interesting that it does most of the work between about 9am and 10 am. I guess once it gets too hot, it quits.

Wow...that's wonderful artwork from you shots. What software do you use to convert your images to this art form ? They would make great gift cards to send to family & friends. I would like to try to learn this method someday in he future. Thanks

ksmmike

Blair Shaw Jr wrote:

Wow...that's wonderful artwork from you shots. What software do you use to convert your images to this art form ? They would make great gift cards to send to family & friends. I would like to try to learn this method someday in he future. Thanks

Photoshop with a tablet. Its done with multiple steps and several layers. Essentially you capture the subject or part in a layer mask, invert it, the color it back in using the underlying colors with different brushes and opacities. I then add a slight watercolor effect and borders that I came with a magazine that I bought many years ago. If you want to know about how I do it, you can check out Sherron Sheppard. She used to offer online classes. Not sure if she still does. Several people here and on FB have asked me about it so I sent her a note asking if she is still offering the class, but I haven't heard back from her yet.

Its funny, Ive posted images here before using the same method and no one asked me about it. I guess everyone is stir crazy at home now and is looking for something to do.