The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum - Fine Art Landscape Photography

Doe on Fire Island

Posted By: Diane

Doe on Fire Island - 02/22/12 02:50 AM

I took this a few days ago at Fire Island National Seashore. When I shot it, I was using a 70-200mm lens, but without the polarizing filter, which right after that opportunity, I regretted. I just didn't take the time to dig it out of my camera bag and screw it onto the lens. However, when I got home and saw the image, and how utterly flat and boring it was (RAW format, of course), I figured I'd try a demo of Nik Color Efex Pro. I kind of liked the comp - the slight diagonals, and figured this image was worth the effort. It's not great, but I'm fairly pleased with the results, particularly because it has a "polarizer" filter. As always, I'm afraid to over process, but here's the result. If anyone else here has experience with Color Efex Pro, and has some tips to share, I'm all ears. I think this program is worth the price.

Posted By: James Morrissey

Re: Doe on Fire Island - 02/22/12 08:31 PM

Hey Diane,

This is lovely! Thanks for sharing. What don't you like about the shot? I think the processing job you did was very good.

James
Posted By: Diane

Re: Doe on Fire Island - 02/22/12 10:48 PM

Thanks, James! It's not that I don't like the shot. I just think it's not a great shot. smile What I really do like is how the angle of the shrub on the right slopes downward to the left, and it's picked up by the doe. Then, the juniper behind the doe's head cuts off at an opposite angle. I like that. smile It's a bit of a crop, about 20% off from the original.

As for post processing, I used Nik software to get the effects I got. First, I used Color Efex Pro to apply the polarizer filter and to brighten and saturate the overall image. Then, I used Viveza 2 to blur the background shrubs, enhance the details in the middle ground shrubs and the doe, and apply some overall curves, thereby giving the image it's "depth." Finally, selective sharpening using CS5. I'm quite happy, given the drab image that I started with.
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