Michael Hrankowski
May 2021 - MALE CARDINAL ON AGAVE
About the Image(s)
This image was taken during a trip to Hawaii just this past March. I recently took a class through my Camera Club on creating digital art. This image was created in Photoshop using multiple Topaz Studio 2 filters and several different masks.
Sony a6600; 1/1,000; f/13; 18-350 zoom at 328mm (492mm equiv); ISO 2,000
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Michael,
Very creative and colorful photograph. The cardinal is sharp and there is the glint in the eye. I also like the angle. The bird is looking at the viewer with curiosity. The background looks like a painting but is subtle so the cardinal really stands out. On what is the bird perched? It looks like a cactus but the blue color throws me. Very nice creative shot. Posted: 05/02/2021 16:54:05
Very creative and colorful photograph. The cardinal is sharp and there is the glint in the eye. I also like the angle. The bird is looking at the viewer with curiosity. The background looks like a painting but is subtle so the cardinal really stands out. On what is the bird perched? It looks like a cactus but the blue color throws me. Very nice creative shot. Posted: 05/02/2021 16:54:05
Mary Ann, the title says it! The bird is perched on an Agave plant. There is a field of blue agave plants growing in the desert on the other side of our friends' perimeter wall on the Big Island of Hawaii. Posted: 05/02/2021 20:03:27
Beautiful photograph, Michael; I love your post-processing technique; Topaz is fantastic software! Yes, I agree with Mary Ann; the angle of the bird works for me as well. You have a lovely triad color palate; this is probably why the photo works nicely; it fits a color scheme. There is excellent feather detail and texture on the plant for interest, and you also have a perfect catch-light in the eye. The textured background almost looks like hydrangea blooms in a soft blur.
I only have one suggestion. Try flipping the image horizontally and see what you think; this may be another excellent option for this photo. This view allows the viewer to move from the lower-left corner and study the details in the body feathers before moving to the bird's face.
LuAnn Posted: 05/06/2021 13:22:12
I only have one suggestion. Try flipping the image horizontally and see what you think; this may be another excellent option for this photo. This view allows the viewer to move from the lower-left corner and study the details in the body feathers before moving to the bird's face.
LuAnn Posted: 05/06/2021 13:22:12
Michael, I enjoy how the cardinal appears to lean forward with a clearly sharpened face. The bird's eye is especially sharp with a pleasing white glint. I like the softly blurred background with the agave. Depending on the dimensions you want, you could consider cropping the left side slightly. I also like LuAnn's suggestion to flip the bird so that it looks in the opposite direction. Beautiful image, Michael. Posted: 05/12/2021 10:16:26
Your post processing is nicely done in this image. I am curious to know whether you replaced the background with a textured background or not. The bird is sharp, and all the details of its feathers can be clearly seen. I'd prefer to adjust the color of the agave plant a bit since I feel that its color is leaning towards a blueish one. The image is beautiful and it looks like a painting. Posted: 05/17/2021 14:24:56
Kieu-Hanh,
Thanks for your comments. First, about the Agave...they are Blue Agave and while I did enhance the blue only slightly, that is actually their color. With regard to the background: After the basic edit in Lr, I took it into Photoshop and did the remainder of the editing in the Topaz Studio 2 filter/plug-in. The background wasn't as much replaced as it was altered. I experimented with multiple layers, each time masking out the bird so the changes were primarily to the background. I used the Impression filter twice and then applied a texture. I've attached the original image for you to compare. Posted: 05/31/2021 10:11:51
Thanks for your comments. First, about the Agave...they are Blue Agave and while I did enhance the blue only slightly, that is actually their color. With regard to the background: After the basic edit in Lr, I took it into Photoshop and did the remainder of the editing in the Topaz Studio 2 filter/plug-in. The background wasn't as much replaced as it was altered. I experimented with multiple layers, each time masking out the bird so the changes were primarily to the background. I used the Impression filter twice and then applied a texture. I've attached the original image for you to compare. Posted: 05/31/2021 10:11:51
Well done. The birds eye is captivating. Posted: 05/17/2021 15:31:59
(Group 85)
Beautiful... it looks like a painting, and the bird is so crisp and the eye is so clear. The post processing is well done... what was the class on Digital Art that you took thru your club? Our club has used some of the PSA offerings for classes. Posted: 05/18/2021 08:13:18
Thanks, Lisa. Yes, I used some of the techniques I learned through that camera club class. I've been having lots of fun experimenting. Posted: 05/31/2021 09:50:34
In looking at the bird who is looking at me I find his eyes piercing. I prefer the way you have the photo looking left as it takes you directly to his eyes. From their you see the colors and clarity. Very nice photo. I love birds and cardinals are one of my favorites.
Posted: 05/21/2021 18:24:32
Posted: 05/21/2021 18:24:32
Thanks for visiting our group and thanks for your comment! Posted: 05/31/2021 10:03:14
LuAnn and Ruth
At first I thought you were both crazy for suggesting the flip....until I actually (just now) did it. I'm not sure exactly why flipping it works better, but it DOES! Perhaps is it because we are (in Western Culture) programmed to move our eyes from left to right? I would be very interested to know what someone native to either Israel or any of the Arab countries - both of which read from right to left - would say about the left facing vs right facing image . In any event, thanks for opening my eyes to this. Posted: 05/31/2021 09:59:18
At first I thought you were both crazy for suggesting the flip....until I actually (just now) did it. I'm not sure exactly why flipping it works better, but it DOES! Perhaps is it because we are (in Western Culture) programmed to move our eyes from left to right? I would be very interested to know what someone native to either Israel or any of the Arab countries - both of which read from right to left - would say about the left facing vs right facing image . In any event, thanks for opening my eyes to this. Posted: 05/31/2021 09:59:18