Bard owlet re-edited, C&C wanted! (Updated photo!)

[FITBMX]

This is from last years owlet season, and I posted it then. I am trying to improve my editing skills, and I need some good straight forward C&C! I am adjusting exposure, highlights, and shadows in LightRoom while in RAW. I then exported in a full size TIFF, and then going to PhotoShop, to sharpened, added texture, and dodged and burned it.

This is the original LT edit from last year.

The redo using PS.

UPDATED PHOTO!!!

 

[snowbear152 83]

It's cropped a little tighter, too. I like the second one.

 

[FITBMX]

It's cropped a little tighter, too. I like the second one.

I forgot to mention the crop.

 

[snowbear152 83]

Oh, I also like the first one, but I think I like the second a bit more.

 

[FITBMX]

Oh, I also like the first one, but I think I like the second a bit more.

I wanted to make my edits look better, but was really trying not to over do it. Which is easy if you're not careful.

 

[DGMPhotography]

Looks like you cropped it and brightened it. Looks better.

 

[birdbonkers84]

I like the crop and looks like you've dodged the feathers around the eyes to lighten the face. I would be tempted to try and lighten the areas of the eyes.


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[Derrel]

I like the crop and looks like you've dodged the feathers around the eyes to lighten the face. I would be tempted to try and lighten the areas of the eyes.


Sent from my iPhone using ThePhotoForum.com mobile app

My idea exactly: try lightening the eyes using the dodge tool. The eyes need to be brighter, for more connection.

 

[Braineack]

My idea exactly: try lightening the eyes using the dodge tool. The eyes need to be brighter, for more connection.

this is exactly what i was going to post. you need to brighten the face, especially the eyes.

 

[FITBMX]

I like the crop and looks like you've dodged the feathers around the eyes to lighten the face. I would be tempted to try and lighten the areas of the eyes.

I like the crop and looks like you've dodged the feathers around the eyes to lighten the face. I would be tempted to try and lighten the areas of the eyes.

My idea exactly: try lightening the eyes using the dodge tool. The eyes need to be brighter, for more connection.

My idea exactly: try lightening the eyes using the dodge tool. The eyes need to be brighter, for more connection.

this is exactly what i was going to post. you need to brighten the face, especially the eyes.

Thanks! I will try to bring the eyes out more, but they are pretty much just black. There isn't much to work with. I can brighten up the face though.

 

[Braineack]

in the least, bring out those catch lights.

 

[gk fotografie]

This is from last years owlet season, and I posted it then. I am trying to improve my editing skills, and I need some good straight forward C&C! I am adjusting exposure, highlights, and shadows in LightRoom while in RAW. I then exported in a full size TIFF, and then going to PhotoShop, to sharpened, added texture, and dodged and burned it.
]

You just made the entire picture less dark, while IMO the only thing that's needed, is to concentrate on the eyes and beak.
Select the area of eyes and beak and use 'curves' slider to lighten the area.
I didn't change any other part of this image, only eyes and beak.

And now the big trick: copy/paste the nice highlight in the right eye of the owl to the left eye, turn the layer you make about 70 degrees to get it in the right position.
When you edit the original file you can also choose this copy/paste solution, because I think it's quite difficult to get the exact same highlight
in the left eye.
For me this trick absolutely makes the image 'pop' nicely

I've changed the cyan colorcast of this image for a slightly warmer color, but that's my personal taste.
A tighter crop is made, because the animal is your subject not the background.

Succes

 

[baturn]

So young and already a poet!

 

[FITBMX]

You just made the entire picture less dark, while IMO the only thing that's needed, is to concentrate on the eyes and beak.
Select the area of eyes and beak and use 'curves' slider to lighten the area.
I didn't change any other part of this image, only eyes and beak.

And now the big trick: copy/paste the nice highlight in the right eye of the owl to the left eye, turn the layer you make about 70 degrees to get it in the right position.
When you edit the original file you can also choose this copy/paste solution, because I think it's quite difficult to get the exact same highlight
in the left eye.
For me this trick absolutely makes the image 'pop' nicely

I've changed the cyan colorcast of this image for a slightly warmer color, but that's my personal taste.
A tighter crop is made, because the animal is your subject not the background.

Succes

Thanks! Those are great suggestions!!!

 

[FITBMX]

put the update with the others in my first post.