justpictureit

20 Dec 2007 • 659 views
 
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photoblog image A Challenge

A Challenge

I've tried post processing this shot with Picasa and am not very skilled at it.  A added fill light which brought out the starling's spots but lightened everything.  The original was more of a silhouette and darker.  It's a bit hazy but the photo is taken through the glass of my kitchen window.  It's not a great photo but I thought it was neat how the starlings were all lined up looking at the cat.

Do any of you people who are skilled with post-processing want to take the original and make this a nice photo?  Who would like the challenge?

Click to Play:
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - The Byrds

A Challenge

I've tried post processing this shot with Picasa and am not very skilled at it.  A added fill light which brought out the starling's spots but lightened everything.  The original was more of a silhouette and darker.  It's a bit hazy but the photo is taken through the glass of my kitchen window.  It's not a great photo but I thought it was neat how the starlings were all lined up looking at the cat.

Do any of you people who are skilled with post-processing want to take the original and make this a nice photo?  Who would like the challenge?

Click to Play:
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - The Byrds

comments (19)

  • ray
  • Thailand
  • 20 Dec 2007, 00:09
I can see why you wanted to post this shot...it is a great study of the starlings, Mary.

I would like to try some stuff with the original, please.
Mary MacADNski: Reply to this email, Ray and I will send along the photo file.
  • Helen
  • Albuquerque, NM, USA
  • 20 Dec 2007, 04:06
Agree with Ray. I could give it a shot also if you like!
Mary MacADNski: Reply to this email, Helen and I will reply with the photo file as an attachment.
  • Astrid
  • The Netherlands
  • 20 Dec 2007, 05:58
Mary I would be more than happy to try it, but I see that I am third in line, I love the image anyway as it is. It reflects the cold weather and the warmth they get from each other
Mary MacADNski: Reply to this email and I will send you the file as an attachment. The more the merrier, I say!
  • Ann
  • Sucé sur Erdre - France
  • 20 Dec 2007, 07:47
I like the composition ... What is this flower and chain flying under the birds ?
The miss of light shows that it was very cold this day. I'm not shocked by this ... A poetic photo ...
Mary MacADNski: I have crystals and things hanging from the driftwood around my deck that I take off in winter. This one was too high to get off at the time.

The light was added by me and is too light, I think.
  • Aussie
  • Brisbane
  • 20 Dec 2007, 09:18
I love the way they are lined up. We don't have any birds that have those lovely patterns of irregular spots, love seeing other types of birds from around the world.
Mary MacADNski: This is one of the few birds that we have on both sides of the Atlantic. It is well known in Europe and is called the European Starling. It came here a hundred years ago or less.
  • Kathryn
  • Germany
  • 20 Dec 2007, 09:46
Mary, I love this image with the birds lined up in a row like that and the haziness that accentuates the winter and gives character to this photograph.
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Kathryn. i would like to see it darker but with the starling spots visible. I don't know if it's possible.
  • Gale
  • Cape of storms
  • 20 Dec 2007, 11:03
Love this and I can see why you HAD to capture it.Its Great as it is!!It feels soooo cold poor birds. I am looking forward to see what the other can do with it. Im not too hot on PP yet.
Mary MacADNski: There were many other birds here and I had to get it quickly as I knew they would fly away.
Very nice and pure line up. I like the soft tones
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Richard. It has quite a bit of fill light and I guess that gives it the soft look.
  • Ellie
  • 20 Dec 2007, 12:44
Good shot Mary. smile

I'll have a go, if you like, I use Photofiltre - it's free to download, prefer it to Picasa.
Mary MacADNski: Reply to this email and I will send the file as an attachment.
ha,thats just lovely as it is,great shot Marysmile
Mary MacADNski: That's very sweet, Tim but the PP pros will do it justice, I think.
  • Bill Phillips
  • Droitwich.. was sunny now foggy
  • 20 Dec 2007, 17:32
Love to have a play with this picture Mary. Judging by the number of volunteers you could get some interesting results!

I like the picture..starlings are very amusing birds. And any song by the Byrds is always worth a listen!
Mary MacADNski: Reply to this email and I will send the file as an attachment. Have fun. I think it can be so much better. I love that Byrds song.
Oh ! Bravissimo - Funny and so well composed !!
Mary MacADNski: Thank you. It's good to have fun shots sometimes.
  • pops
  • 20 Dec 2007, 19:05
A lovely fun photo.
Photographs with humour like this don't need to be perfect.
Mary MacADNski: That's very sweet but to compete with the wonderful ones here, I often feel very inadequate.
  • Martin
  • United States
  • 20 Dec 2007, 19:26
This is a funny shot smile
Mary MacADNski: Good to get some humour in now and then.
  • Tracy
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 20 Dec 2007, 22:41
WOW Mary what a wonderful sight.smile
Mary MacADNski: It was fantastic. There were many more as this is just above a feeder.
Such a wonderful composition! I`d love to see what some of our post processing wizards can come up with. (:o)
Mary MacADNski: I can't wait either!!
Me pido el desafío Mary! Pero me gustaría saber que te gustaría conseguir! grin

I request the challenge Mary! But I would like to know that you would like to obtain! grin
Mary MacADNski: I would like to see the spots on the birds but without washing out the entire photo. You can do anything you want with it though. I like to see others use their creative skills.

Quisiera ver los puntos en los pájaros pero sin lavarse fuera de la foto entera. Usted puede hacer cualquier cosa que usted desea con ella sin embargo. Tengo gusto de ver otros utilizar sus habilidades creativas.
Recibiste mi foto?

You received my photo?
Mary MacADNski: Yes, only you and Bill (Yellowbear) have returned them. Thank you.

Sí, solamente usted y Bill Phillips (Yellowbear) los han vuelto. Gracias.
Sure I would like a go with the photo!
SEnd to my email!

Barb
Mary MacADNski: For the life of me, I can't find your email address on two sites. Reply to this and I will reply with the file.

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for this photo I'm in a any and all comments icon ShMood©
camera Canon PowerShot A520
exposure mode full manual
shutterspeed 1/500s
aperture f/5.5
sensitivity unknown
focal length 23.1mm
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