Need advice in removing tree.

I shot this Ruffed Grouse a week ago about 220 miles north of me and that darned tree is distracting to me. I'm not the least bit talented when it comes to processing. Any hints, tips or even tutorials on doing anything about the distraction? Thanks.

Thanks Chet. Big improvement.

If Chet's option doesn't work for you, I would probably drive the 220 miles north again.

And I'm pretty good with photoshop.

For me, that one would be a throwaway, not because of the tree but because the subject blends in with its surroundings. Unless the purpose of the photo is to illustrate that bird's adaptive plumage, it just isn't a good picture of the bird.

Peano wrote in post #18352337
For me, that one would be a throwaway, not because of the tree but because the subject blends in with its surroundings. Unless the purpose of the photo is to illustrate that bird's adaptive plumage, it just isn't a good picture of the bird.

Their camo is what makes these birds so elusive and although many photographers prefer birds with a clean background and foreground, I prefer mine more of the environmental type. But, different strokes for different folks. That's the type of environment this bird is found in so it looks au natural.

Might be easier to remove the bird to a new background.

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Ruffed Grouse are pretty easy to find. Specifically, their drumming logs are easy to find - especially in Minnesota where they are so plentiful. It would seem that you shouldn't have much trouble finding more grouse to photograph, especially as this is the perfect time of year to do so.

As one who has spent a lot of time photographing Ruffed Grouse, I can't help but to think that you should easily be able to get a better photo with relatively little effort, even if you have to drive a couple of hours to get into grouse country. The harsh light in this image isn't doing you any favors, and either soft sunlight or, better yet, an overcast day, would showcase both the bird and the surrounding vegetation in a more pleasing manner.

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I wasn't exactly looking for one when he showed up and don't find them exciting enough to make a real effort to find them. I just like to spend time driving through a forest and taking what I can get. Since I live in SW MN, where there are no grouse, finding one when I'm up north and getting even a mediocre photo still gives me a degree of satisfaction.

Best I could do.

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mn shutterbug wrote in post #18352374
I . . . don't find them exciting enough to make a real effort to find them.

Blasphemy!


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Chet wrote in post #18352386
Best I could do.

Hosted photo: posted by Chet in
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forum: RAW, Post Processing & Printing

Shucks, I think I preferred it with your dainty French-tipped digit.

PineBomb wrote in post #18352390
Shucks, I think I preferred it with your dainty French-tipped digit.

Well of course I did as well.

Hey Chet, that looks pretty darned good. What steps did you take? I'm always able and willing to learn new things. Thanks.

In photoshop I used the content aware tool and masked the content to the left of the tree. I then slide that over the tree and did a bit of blending. It's the 1st time I've used that tool and playing with a low resolution screen cap it's about a 5 minute edit.