This image was taken a few years ago from a hide in an area of the Yorkshire Dales where there is a small population of red squirrels. Unfortunately, red squirrels are endangered in the UK so getting to photograph them is a real pleasure.
The image was taken with my Olympus OM-5 with a 40-150mm lens at 150mm. The camera settings were auto focus, aperture priority, f3.2, 1/250s, ISO 3200. I wanted to create a wintry scene, so the following changes were made in Photoshop after initial processing in Camera Raw:
-Removed the distraction in the bottom right using cloning and “content aware” fill.
-Expanded the canvas and used “content aware” fill to give a little more space below the discarded shell.
-Copied the background layer and masked the squirrel.
-Turned the background mono.
-Added 4 of my own textures to the background in different blend modes at varying opacities.
-Added a cooling filter to the background
-Painted over the eye of the squirrel to remove the reflection and added a catchlight
-Desaturated some areas around the edge of the squirrel, especially the tail, to remove green tints.
-Changed the colour balance of the image.
-Added some falling snow.
-Added a vignette using a curves layer.
8 comments posted
Connie Reinhart
Thank you for that detailed description of your post-processing. This is like taking lessons. You turned a charming snapshot of the backyard squirrel into something magical. Perhaps a winter scene from "Narnia". Posted: 01/08/2025 19:13:04
Carol Watson
Thanks Connie Posted: 01/22/2025 10:23:16
Denise McKay
Carol, you seem a master at using your post-processing tools to enhance your images. Your original image is technically good; a great composition and sharp focus with a pleasing blurred background. But the choices you made to place this charming squirrel into a magical snowy scene really elevates the image. You kept the soft detailed edges of the fur, then layered and blended your textures so that the squirrel appeared to be realistically sitting in that scene. The color balance changes you made suit a cold winter day very well. This is a beautiful image. Posted: 01/11/2025 16:03:38
Carol Watson
Thanks Denise Posted: 01/22/2025 10:23:52
Jan Handman
What a charming image Carol. So sweet. I love all your additions. One note: even before I read your description, I noticed the green tinge on the left side of the lower tail and the right side of the upper tail (on the curve). It's a nitpick, but it looks like your desaturation technique worked well for the most part, but maybe could go a tad farther in those spots. Or maybe it's just my old eyes that aren't working very well! Good idea to remove the reflection in the eye and add a nice clean catchlight. Beautifully photographed and processed! Posted: 01/17/2025 20:49:45
Carol Watson
Thanks Jan, I agree there are still some remnants of a green tint, so I will have another go at these areas. Posted: 01/22/2025 10:25:38
Rita Johnston
Carol, you made the ordinary into a beautiful portrait of a precious squirrel. Thank you! Posted: 01/20/2025 21:36:18
