Gave it some reality-bending PP.

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(Download)

The wing tip is so far removed from the action and centre of attention that it's neither here nor there to my eye. Once upon a time it was considered good form to have the edge of the frame intrude slightly on the main subject/s. It was seen as reinforcing the integrity of the art of photography to deliberately acknowledge the limitations of the art in this way. Not that I'd recommend that myself, but opinions regarding what's right and wrong come and go with the passage of time.

If it was mine I'd darken the area above the wing and behind the bird to reduce that area's ability to draw the eye (maybe desaturate and de-contrast too). I'd probably also brighten the area surrounding the fish and head to reinforce that area's status as the main focus of attention, taking care to keep the highlights subdued. Or maybe add a subtle custom vignette centred on the fish and head using the radial filter.

If you're seeing that shot as a failure or a disaster I'd recommend a re-think (and a re-edit :-) ).

I agree with concentrating on the faces. Shadows across the bodies are no big deal, but any issues with the faces have the potential to spoil the shot.

You're right - a smaller, condensed version does show up stuff that full screen hides. Having said that, it's a while since I had anything printed, so I tend to see the full screen version as the final one.

Thanks for contributing and thanks for your comments, Al. And a big :thumbup: for your comment about Linda's edit.

Glad you enjoyed, Harvey. Do you fancy posting any of your edits?

Yes, you're right - I posted a prettified version taken from the other side.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-381648-1.html

Clean over my head lol. It's to your credit that I didn't notice. If it hadn't been so well done I probably would have noticed. As it is it looks totally natural. And it probably explains the airy feel that I mentioned 8-) .

Thanks for contributing, Gaylord. You've given the colours a fair bit of punch, and the edit has an airy feel to it.

I must admit I've never seen HDR processing as the finishing touch to an edit. It's always been a starting point for me :-) . But it does seem to have made the colours and details a bit more solid. The sky's gone a little bit grainy, but that's probably just the jpegging. Thanks for contributing, Jim-Pops.

This is another excellent effort, but I still think the eyes could be better. They still look a bit funny, and on zooming in there seem to be a few pixels in the irises that have gone to white or very close. If it was mine I'd clone out those specular highlights and do something to give the eyes properly black, round pupils.

Those might sound like minor points, but the eyes are central to how the picture is perceived.

You're welcome, Tom. This looks like a negative, and a bit spooky to boot, so full marks for the "mysterious" bit, and it does seem to be standing clear and proud. Your experimenting has paid off handsomely.

Yikes lol. It's fair to say you might have overdone the HDR a touch, Buddah. Definitely one for pushing the envelope :-) .

Ah.... if only I'd had a sunset like that to photograph (sigh). Thanks for joining in Shakey.

You're welcome.

Sorry - can't advise. Not familiar with Apple stuff. Perhaps somebody else can advise.......

Thank you abc. two excellent edits. #1 is going straight to my Favourites folder (Linda's is already there).