Anhinga Returning Home. I just processed this one and am curious as to comments on the background and green foreground along the bottom. I normally look for a clean background that best separates the subject from its environment. I saw the background here as a weakness and worked in post to reduce its impact. In LR, I cropped, lightened up the Anhinga a bit and not much more. For the background, I used point color slightly warm the greens in the background and added some negative texture and clarity, also slightly lowering the saturation. In PS I ran NIK Color Affects and added a Glow to the background by adding it to the entire image and then masking it off the bird. I also added a custom vignette and removed a minor distraction in the lower right corner. Sony a9iii, 200-600 lens @ 588mm, f/6.3,1/2500 second, ISO 800.
7 comments posted
Tom Brott
I like the detail of the Anhinga and the background is well as it separated from the bird to giving dimension to the scene. I do feel that the greens in the bottom portion of this image could be muted a little more as they are bright and eye catching. Posted: 07/14/2025 16:01:17
Pamela Hoaglund
I'm intrigued by the bright green on the birds neck. Looking it up it seems to be during the breeding season. It's a striking addition to the plumage along with the green eyes. The background foliage doesn't bother me as I feel it is muted enough to not be distracting. I do think the bright green in the foreground distracts and competes with the beautiful anhinga and the green on its neck. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:17:06
Mike Cohen
Thanks. Those were the comments I was looking for. Posted: 07/16/2025 23:16:11
Ally Green
That is an amazing looking bird...where did you take it as not familiar with these? Great detail and focus in the feathers and the neck and eye. I agree with the Tom & Pamela just to tone down the green foreground abit. Really nice image. Posted: 07/18/2025 22:43:58
Sharon Prislipsky
For some reason I usually pass up Anhingas, but seeing this, next time I will take a closer look...you have captured it in a way that shows it at its best. The wings and tail are perfect and rendered in sharp detail. To me, the bright green folliage detracts from the bird even though the color is a repeat of his mating plumage. I would suggest selecting just the folliage then reduce saturation and luminance. Posted: 07/19/2025 18:33:00
Judith Lesnaw
The graceful diagonal flair of the bird's wings and feathers, the subtle blue of of the bird's eye, the gold of the beak, feet and tail feathers that draws my eyes through the intersecting diagonal of the body, the way the feathers at the upper right appear to be outlined, the beautiful subtle brown tones and that striking branch of evergreen the bird is transporting to its nest tell a wonderful and artistic story. Those bright green/yellow leaves at the bottom did fight fiercely for my attention. I would do whatever is allowed for competition to tone them down. The background detracts from the subject to a lesser degree. I would selectively darken it. With tweaks to the background that might take it out of competition, this image would make a splendid addition to any wall.
Posted: 07/23/2025 20:47:08
Polly Krauter
Captured at just the right moment with wings fully extended. The three brightest leaves on the bottom could be darkened, particularly the one touching the tail feather, otherwise I wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 07/25/2025 19:01:58
