Can't decide!?!

Which do you think looks better out of these two? #1 is the original, #2 has shadows/highlights added.

1.

just my opinion, which isn't worth much, but I like the original better. The second one looks a tad over-exposed to me. But I tend to like dark shots, so take it for what it's worth.

I like the first one.

Great capture!

nwyman wrote in post #5725609
just my opinion, which isn't worth much, but I like the original better. The second one looks a tad over-exposed to me. But I tend to like dark shots, so take it for what it's worth.

mama2girls&boy wrote in post #5725736
I like the first one.

Great capture!

Thanks, i too was leaning towards the 1st shot, then someone pointed out the bleeding obvious... Merge them!

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1st one with the dark background makes the bird pop out more...

Nice shot Scott. As you know harsh light makes for some hard shadows. I'd do a merge by layering the lightened version on top of the original. Then by slowly reducing the opacity of the top layer I'd watch the shadows until some fill light was visible in the darkest areas. Flatten and serve hot. This looks like it would be a great location for some early morning/evening light that would not only change the whole feel but also reduce the hard shadows greatly.

NH

Like the first one but I do tend to like underexposed images more as nwyman said. Combining them would be great as you already did

Scott, which program are you using? If photoshop, you can easily use a mask layer to adjust certain parts of the image like in the shadowed areas using curves or levels. It's a fairly easy technique. I also did a little dodge and burning on the hot spots...not a clean edit but you get the point.

Here's quick 2 minute edit.

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beano wrote in post #5725980
Thanks, i too was leaning towards the 1st shot, then someone pointed out the bleeding obvious... Merge them!

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO

i like this one

Bill

Thanks all.

The second one is easier to look at. The first one has lost detail which is never good and the lights right next to blacks are hard on my eyes.

#2 for me.

canonloader wrote in post #5732764
The second one is easier to look at. The first one has lost detail which is never good and the lights right next to blacks are hard on my eyes.

kenyc wrote in post #5733137
#2 for me.

Interesting... You don't think the background interferes to much? Or the whole shot's a little flat?

Thanks for commenting guys.

beano wrote in post #5738465
Interesting... You don't think the background interferes to much? Or the whole shot's a little flat?

Thanks for commenting guys.

First one is too dark an missing detail in the shadow areas of the bird. The merged one is probably the best compromise.

The first one is more true to life, but it's also why people wear sunglasses. The light just looks harsh, where the second one, un natural as it may be is easier on the eyes. Maybe that's why pictures look better when shot on cloudy days.

I liked the background of #2. I edited #2 and painted selectively with "Smokeless burn" Action on the Heron. I painted more on the blacks to make them nice and rich. I then vignetted the image a bit with the same Action. I used the opposite Action "Digital Fill Flash" to paint a bit of light around the Heron and some light into the eye. I then selectively painted sharp from "Amazing Detail Finder" onto the entire body with focus on feather detail. I think the sharp helps the bird in the busy background. All the Actions used are from Kubota Artistic Tools V2.