Obviously there wasn't much color to begin with - a factor of shooting toward the light and it being a rather grayish kind of day. Post processing consists of a levels adjustment (first thing I usually do), very slight shadows/highlights (6% on each slider) to bring out the feathers a bit), increase in contrast and hue/sat (working on the RAW file - I generally will boost both contrast and hue/sat if working from RAW). Flatten, sharpen. Conversion to B&W using CS3's B&W tool, using the "auto" option, which I find generally works pretty well for me.
What a marvelous harmonic convergence of the letter C! Coots and Cobbles - sounds like an upmarket shop! Nice use of a leading line with those cobbles.
I like the feather detail on this but I prefer the uncropped composition. You want to give your S-curves a chance to finish unfurling out of the frame.
The DOF in your photo is perfect. The duck is the obvious subject, and it is perfectly in focus, and perfectly exposed. Everything else just plays a supporting roll adding highlights and lines of interest. Great photo of the south end of a north bound duck;-)
I very much like the leading lines that the brick create and their gentle s-curve. The tones of the bird (to long of legs for a coot?) is wonderful too. Great subject placement. This must be a shore bird of some sort with those long legs?
I like this very much - the composition is soothing in the way the eye is gently led. The ripples in the water seem like a natural extension of the lines formed by the cobbles. I particularly like the graduation of light from the bpttom left to the top right. Lovely.
Love the simplicity/apparent simplicity of this, and the spare but succinctly defined coot in his smooth rippled water. (I'm wondering why you didn't crop some off the top as you did the bottom; in your original the dark above the curve balances the bottom, but here I'm not sure).
this is a beauty Deb, the gentle leading lines seem so peaceful and I think the natural gray day makes the black and white seem so natural. looking forward to more. :)
Wiesbaden reminds me of pizza, for the reason I stayed there one year when visiting the Frankfurte Buchmesse and had a darned good meal there which happened to be Italian.... Reflecting water, lustre, sheen, add to an image is what I learned here...
My first thought was that the coot should be facing us and follow the rule of thirds more - however, looking at it more closely its just right as is. dof is spot on and as all before me have said you have lovely curves ;)
The brickwork in his shadow just complet it for me. I've just got CS3 as well and almost without fail the default convert to B&W seems to work.
The dof the lines formed as you follow the bricks on the ground and the 'pose' of the bird make this really pleasing.
At first look, i felt that the bird should be facing towards us or towards the side, but that would really just make it into any old bird photo. This way it is much more interesting.
I really enjoy the S curve in this photo. Even more, I enjoy the shallow DOF. If you had more DOF, my eye would be led to the top of the photo. As it is, the S curve is a really interesting element, but doesn't detract from the bird. Great Choice!
Very nice Deb! Simple and natural composition. The B&W conversion is great but what I really like is the depth of field. I think its enhanced even more by the fact that the water is highlighted in the foreground and dark in the background.
I look forward to seeing more of your B&W work as the year progresses.
And as I stood on the street, the bird ignored me, drinking from the water along the cobblestones, immune to my presence, with a delicate balanced step forged in the foundry of time. I looked, and he was gone . . .
Thanks for capturing him for us, Deb, your work is always a delight. Welcome home :)
Grrr - I typed something and then it did not post. Too quick to push buttons I think. Anyway, I am glad that I will get to see pics from Germany now! Looking forward to it.
What I love about your work is how you are able to take something very simple and turn it into a beautiful piece of art. I love the curve leading into the photo. And the contrast and detail on the feathers is awesome!
Ohhhh Deb! I am looking so forward to a whole year of being able to share your work. I just love your take on things! You make the simple so emotive and striking! I love the high contrast and the perfect position of seeing the bird from behind (so as not to intrude on the scene), yet, being able to see his face. And I love the leading lines and texture of that brick.
WELCOME HOME !!!!! As much as I LOVED your Middle East photos -- this is like a Melethia breath of fresh air :)
It's always difficult to create nice photos on those gray days. The pattern of the cobbles and the lines are beautiful. (perhaps giving the coot less attention than it deserves).
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
