Jerry Biddlecom  


Wet Storks by Jerry Biddlecom

June 2018 - Wet Storks

June 2018 - Jerry Biddlecom

Original

About the Image(s)

In Palm Beach County there is a well known spot for shooting birds, thousands of photographers over the years have converged on Wakodahatchee Wetlands, usually for the various egrets and herons. I've always wanted to go up there and catch some of the birds in rainy weather but it's too long a drive for me to go up on the chance that there might be some bad weather.

However, a month or two back I was in the area on a club field trip that was pretty much rained out and I thought I would take the opportunity to hop over to the wetlands and see if I could get some birds “ducking" the showers. The rain had let up somewhat but at least the birds were still soaked. On this shot I cloned the bird on the left over to make for a little more cozy arrangement and then got rid of most to the background which I found distracting. I really had to improvise on the rain because there wasn't much going on when I got there so I searched YouTube for tutorials on how to fake rain in an image. I then borrowed some rain drops from some of my other images and placed them on the beaks to add a little “authenticity."


This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted




Mike Patterson   Mike Patterson
Loved the way you amended this image. Looks like a painting! You demonstrated a great deal of ability in arranging the birds and then adding the raindrops. I could see this piece hanging in a gallery.   Posted: 06/08/2018 13:53:06



Marti Buckely   Marti Buckely
You've done a great job with this image. I like the details in the feathers and the birds heads. I'm finding it a little odd though that all that heavy rain is behind them. Not sure if there is a way to bring a little of the rain in front so it would be looking like they are in the rain.   Posted: 06/09/2018 13:29:30
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
In that this was the first time I attempted using the fake rain technique, I was having trouble getting the right balance, and perhaps the background rain should be a little lighter. I guess like all of us I reach a point of "editing fatigue" where you just say enough is enough and this is the best I can do for now.   Posted: 06/10/2018 08:16:05
Marti Buckely   Marti Buckely
I commend you though - I've never tried that technique although I might with the upcoming Water and Flowers subject later this year.   Posted: 06/10/2018 15:22:24



Peggy Reeder   Peggy Reeder
Great job Jerry! This reminds me of a cartoon that I have seen somewhere with 3 birds colluding together to create some mischief. (Angry Birds?) I like how you have brought out the detail in the eyes and sharpened up the feathers. I'm not sure the fake rain is necessary. You have the implication of the rain with the added raindrops on the birds beaks and heads and that works for me. But nevertheless, the fake rain gives a much nicer background.   Posted: 06/10/2018 11:59:23



Joseph J Zaia   Joseph J Zaia
Jerry, you are to be complimented, first for visualizing this effect and second for accomplishing it. At first look I said: 'how did he get the birds so sharp with a long exposure?' You did an excellent job of selecting the storks. May I ask: what method di you use? Good one!
  Posted: 06/10/2018 14:24:10
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
Hello Joe, By method, do you mean achieving the rain effect?   Posted: 06/11/2018 09:07:37
Joseph J Zaia   Joseph J Zaia
Yes Jerry, the whole idea of the birds in the rain and making it look realistic. However, what selecting method did you use to get so much detail in the feathers of the storks?   Posted: 06/11/2018 13:25:10
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
Depending on the resolution of the image simple sharpening in PS is enough. However, more often than not I go to some presets in On1 Effects. If it's a color image I primarily use the "natural" preset and then work with the various sliders to get the right balance. There are other presets (in color) such as Surreal but for my liking they go overboard. In the black and white settings I prefer Chrome and Roadie. There is a downside to using these presets and that is a lot of the time detail is lost, especially in the face, if you want an image that is to be made into a larger-sized print. You'll find also some artifacts in a lot of the darker parts of the picture. There are similar presets in other programs, such as Nik. I use Effects a lot, but with varying results.   Posted: 06/14/2018 07:48:40
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
PS: The birds were not a long exposure; the shots were taken with my 70 - 300 mm lens at probably more than 300 (factoring in the crop value of my DX camera) at probably 1/800 sec. or maybe even 1/1000 sec. The rain drops on their beaks were real, but composited from another picture in the sequence. I couldn't have the drops falling from the birds because it wouldn't make sense to have blurred "rain" while at the same time freezing the drops in mid air. Hope this helps.   Posted: 06/14/2018 07:56:26



 
This is Hattie visiting from group 62 & 36. This image is very funny, I cannot help to tell you how much I enjoy it. Well done!   Posted: 06/10/2018 22:51:18
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
Many thanks!   Posted: 06/11/2018 06:36:29



 
I agree with Mike. It looks like a painting. I would suggest to make rain drops softer. Very interesting!   Posted: 06/19/2018 03:02:31



Kaylyn Franks   Kaylyn Franks
I admire your creative vision and ability to bring it to reality! I feel the rain is to intense, so softening it will enhance the focus on the birds. I am curious to see what it looks like with a black background, but leave the birds as is with a little touch of rain.   Posted: 06/25/2018 07:58:37