Art Imitates Life and Cardinal Imitates Art...Desaturated

[Gary Fairhead]

I was playing in Photoshop and decided to see how this image would look in Black and White but then decided the red in the Cardinal had to stay. Kept the color in the water drops as well. This image could arguably be in the B/W Experimental section but hey its got 2 birds in it Not for everyone granted....but I would still like to know what you think!

[nitefrogger]

It works for me Gary. I like the contrast between the animated cardinal and the static bird sculpture. The muted colors work with the theme. Never seen a crest quite that jaunty before! Good work!

[kr88]

Nicely done Gary. The desat works well here. I also lie the water droplets in the shot. Nicely done!

[canonloader]

Ha, cute. It came out very good Gary.

[Airedale1]

Great shot Gary a very handsome Cardinal.

[GyRob]

the pose is just right for the art ,a nice catch.
Rob.

[Stephen Stephen]

Well done Gary. When are you going to start giving Post Processing lessons for us?

[clivingston]

I really like the results . How did you do it ?

[catsith]

it's not fair... not only do you take superb bird shots, you are a ps guru as well!
that's really well done.

[busbyea]

Originally Posted by catsith

it's not fair... not only do you take superb bird shots, you are a ps guru as well!
that's really well done.

I have to agree with Tina; I have seen many of your images employing your PS skills. You have mastered them quite well.

For this image; Love the look; & feel.
It certainly captures the atmosphere of the type of weather we have had..

Lovely contrast between the cardinal/water droplet to the rest of the image.
The cardinal is doing his best impersonation of the sculpted bird; with a little flair of course.

[canonloader]

OK, since no one else will, I'm going to ask. What is that water dripper artwork thingy he's sitting on? Is it for watering the birds?

[Billginthekeys]

great shot, i like the effect in this instance aswell.

[pttenn]

Yep works for me, love the gray and red contrasts in color.
Karen

[Margie]

Very nice...I like what you have done! I have that same bird on the left in my yard!!

[Gary Fairhead]

A big thanks to nitefrogger, Keith, Paul, Rob, canonloader,Stephen, Ted, Tina, Bill and Karen for the feedback. Much appreciated!

Margie Very nice...I like what you have done! I have that same bird on the left in my yard!!

Thanks Margie and that same species sure is approachable isn't it?

clivingston I really like the results . How did you do it ?

Thanks Chris and this is just too easyi In Photoshop or any PP program with a History brush ( should be the same): do everything you want with the shot...cropping etc...and save as a large file ( max). Reopen ( recent file in Photoshop). Deasaturate to Black and White then history brush the parts of the photo you want to retain color....basically you are removing parts of the desaturated layer to reveal the original layer below. I had to go in close with a small brush for the head feathers and the water drops and a larger brush to carefully go over the bird (a soft brush is what I usually use). Took no more than 10 minutes. I have done it with a few Great Horned Owl shots where just the eye is yellow and everything else is Black and White...sometimes the effect is quite striking.

canonloader OK, since no one else will, I'm going to ask. What is that water dripper artwork thingy he's sitting on? Is it for watering the birds?

Yes .....this is a dripper I set up at a large concrete bird bath for Spring and Summer. You can regulate the drip ( small hose running of a regular water hose) with a splicer and it really attracts birds and i had a Baltimore Oriole and yellow Shafted Flicker among dozens of species that came every day.....here are a couple of shots of a Bluejay ( moulting phase) and a Chickadee who have come by for a drink. I bought the dripper at a local Bird store that sold all kinds of artisan designed skuptures, feeders, bird houses etc...Bluejays and Robins will get right under the drip like a shower