Photo Editing challenge: What can you salvage out of this?

[Raj_55555]

So in another thread, John and Sharon suggested a challenge like this would be interesting for this image. Shot in Jpeg, horrible exposure at 1200mm, ISO 400, 1/50 shutter speed shot with a point and shoot; not the ideal scenario to start the editing to say the least!
So here goes, let's see what the members can come up with.

 

[sm4him]

I'll try to play around with it if I get a chance at lunchtime.

 

[The_Traveler]

 

[SquarePeg]

impressed

 

[runnah]

 

[smithdan]

my shot at it

 

[Raj_55555]

I think the clear winner so far is @runnah, I mean who'll fight a pirate kite?

@The_Traveler: Lew, I think we went for a similar style, either that or you were trying to show me a better crop with my older version.. The cropped version does look much better IMO.

Here's my version in case you didn't notice:

@smithdan, I kind of like your version too (ignoring the purple fringes).. You kind of overdid the eyes a bit though

 

[mmaria]

 

[Forkie]

Oooh! Fun!

Here's my go!

 

[Raj_55555]

wow!! This is actually pretty good @Forkie.. I really didn't think a result this pretty would be possible for this one.

 

[Raj_55555]

View attachment 94421

No news yet, but Ericsson is known to be a bit slow in it's recruiting process, especially so for senior positions. But you'd be the first to know as soon as I get a word.
TBH the way the interview went, I'd be surprised if I didn't get selected..whether we are able to settle during the salary negotiations is a different issue!

 

[Forkie]

wow!! This is actually pretty good @Forkie.. I really didn't think a result this pretty would be possible for this one.

Hehe, thanks! Apart from the colouring, I tried to fake some shallow DoF to make the bird itself appear a bit sharper than it really is, but I kind of messed up on the back wing. I didn't notice until afterwards that its beak is actually behind the wing, so the blur on it doesn't really make sense!

Oh well - it was fun!

 

[Raj_55555]

wow!! This is actually pretty good @Forkie.. I really didn't think a result this pretty would be possible for this one.

Hehe, thanks! Apart from the colouring, I tried to fake some shallow DoF to make the bird itself appear a bit sharper than it really is, but I kind of messed up on the back wing. I didn't notice until afterwards that its beak is actually behind the wing, so the blur on it doesn't really make sense!

Oh well - it was fun!

I did notice that, but this gives the idea of what's possible with a messed up image like this one, which was the intent rather than getting a great finished product. Blurring the wings really works here, the only thing that bugged me much was the artificial blurring of the branch, but I get the idea.