Exposed swans

[yellow ant]

Trying to make these swans look etheral.

Tips on how to do that while not destroying the photo?

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[WesternGuy]

Not sure what you mean by ethereal in this case? Maybe you have a link to an example?

WesternGuy

 

[yellow ant]

Not sure what you mean by ethereal in this case? Maybe you have a link to an example?

WesternGuy

ghost like, found this link to similar photo http://blackenedmoonarts.dk/wp-content/gallery/gallery-white/nicole_kudera_white_swans_art.jpg

 

[WesternGuy]

I looked at your reference and all that it looks like to me is that she has blown out the whites/highlights on the swans. This can be done in the field by overexposing a stop or so (you would have to experiment to find what works for you) or possibly in post-processing by adjusting the exposure or maybe the levels, depending on the software you were using. Not sure I would be a fan of this, but every photographer can interpret the world for himself/herself as he/she sees it, or would like their audience to see it.

You could always send her an e-mail (if possible) to see if she will share her approach with you. She can choose to ignore you, or say no, but you never know until you try.

WesternGuy

 

[JamesScott86]

Excellent captures - well taken.

 

[yellow ant]

I looked at your reference and all that it looks like to me is that she has blown out the whites/highlights on the swans. This can be done in the field by overexposing a stop or so (you would have to experiment to find what works for you) or possibly in post-processing by adjusting the exposure or maybe the levels, depending on the software you were using. Not sure I would be a fan of this, but every photographer can interpret the world for him/herself as he/she sees it, or would like their audience to see it.

You could always send her an e-mail (if possible) to see if she will share her approach with you. She can choose to ignore you, or say no, but you never know until you try.

WesternGuy

Thanks for taking the time to follow up on this

 

[pixmedic30 2]

Not sure what you mean by ethereal in this case? Maybe you have a link to an example?

WesternGuy

ghost like, found this link to similar photo http://blackenedmoonarts.dk/wp-content/gallery/gallery-white/nicole_kudera_white_swans_art.jpg

since you said you wanted to edit the photo without destroying it, i would not recommend emulating the photograph in the link your provided. it looks like the photographer(?) just moved around a couple of sliders in LR. pushed the highlights way up, and the rest way down. or selectively edited the swans/background. either way, it doesn't look very good. or ghostly. All it looks like is overexposed swans with horribly blown highlights against a muted background.
the swan pictures you took are 10 times better.

 

[DarkShadow]

When the whites are blown out to the point all feather detail is gone the photo is already ruined,Speaking as a birder of course. Your photos are better then the horrible ones in the link.IMO the ones in the link look like they don't no what there doing yet shooting and processing.