Need info from all of you

Here is a picture I took last week of a Pelican in Cuba, picture was taken in RAW, I m using CS4 to edit the picture and this would be my final image results:

Original picture:

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

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

Crop to convey the birds action/movement?
Is the final images bird colour a good representation of what it really was?

mark0326 wrote in post #7683897
Crop to convey the birds action/movement?
Is the final images bird colour a good representation of what it really was?

Yes the colors of the bird are as close to what I remember them being. Here is a crop of the bird:

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

As indicated, the crop can help. In the original shot, the pelican is positioned to 'fly off the print' (i.e., closer to right edge than the other three edges). In the second shot, your crop, the bird is 'captive on the print' (i.e., just enough room to stretch his wings). Try cropping with the pelican closer to the lower left corner than the three other corners, to see how it improves the dynamics of the shot.

Wilt wrote in post #7684151
As indicated, the crop can help. In the original shot, the pelican is positioned to 'fly off the print' (i.e., closer to right edge than the other three edges). In the second shot, your crop, the bird is 'captive on the print' (i.e., just enough room to stretch his wings). Try cropping with the pelican closer to the lower left corner than the three other corners, to see how it improves the dynamics of the shot.

Would this be better?

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

Rick, that last one is far worse...flying off the page. I said 'lower left corner' , not 'upper right corner' !

Wilt wrote in post #7684315
Rick, that last one is far worse...flying off the page. I said 'lower left corner' , not 'upper right corner' !

LOL!!! sorry about that, this one should be better:

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

OK, you got it right. Now, do YOU find that composition to be 'improved'?

If so, next time SHOOT it that way if you can.

You seem to have gained a nasty purple cast in the water. The original shot showed a dark blue area which has turned purple in your edits.

Wilt wrote in post #7685237
OK, you got it right. Now, do YOU find that composition to be 'improved'?

If so, next time SHOOT it that way if you can.

I do find it alot better but I would not of been able to take that shot since I was standing on a huge rock and the bird was under me at the moment of taking the picture, maybe if I would of kneeled I might of been able too!

But again thanks alot for your help Wilt.

[QUOTE]"You seem to have gained a nasty purple cast in the water. The original shot showed a dark blue area which has turned purple in your edits."

I did notice that the color of the water got more dark (slightly purple) I ll work on that and post the results after.

Rickinferno wrote in post #7685449
I do find it alot better but I would not of been able to take that shot since I was standing on a huge rock and the bird was under me at the moment of taking the picture, maybe if I would of kneeled I might of been able too!

But again thanks alot for your help Wilt.

Well, I did comment 'if you can'! I understand.
Kneeling down would have altered the angle of view (perspective) of the bird relative to the water, changing it compositionally. So maybe the only way to achieve it was to crop in post processing. Nevertheless, if the shot can be composed in the viewfinder, it is better than shooting the subject bullseyed in the frame.

HankScorpio wrote in post #7685250
You seem to have gained a nasty purple cast in the water. The original shot showed a dark blue area which has turned purple in your edits.

I tried to lightend the dark spots on the water here are the 2 pictures before and after:

Original:

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

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

Dodged the head area to bring out more detail.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.