About the Image(s)

I took the background shot for this image at Lake Fausse State Park in the Atchafalaya Basin, LA. I did some basic editing of the raw file in PS, adjusting for light, shadows, and bringing up the vibrance and saturation a bit to amplify the fall colors. The Snowy Egret photo was taken at Avery Island, LA during the breeding season, also with basic PS edits. I loved the breeding colors, plumage, and striking courtship pose but the rookery background in the original photo consisted of sticks/nesting material which was not a very pleasing setting. When I did the composite, the egret was originally standing on a pile of sticks which I changed to a log using generative fill for greater continuity with the location. The 3rd original i used is a palm frond (also from Lake Fausse State Park) that I felt complemented the background nicely. I processed that image in raw and changed it to B&W. I increased the contrast and brought up the whites to mimic sun rays. I love the wild and jungle-like feel of the bayou, and I felt that the egret in its breeding plumage really added to the exotic feel of the photo. The "sun rays" further amplified that bayou feeling. Note: I'm very new to composites and any tips/cc would be most welcomed!