Preening penguin

SamOsprey (Junior Member)

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4 Jan 2012 - 8:52 PM

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Lovely shot!
Sam.

Jestertheclown

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4 Jan 2012 - 9:30 PM

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Hi Kathryn,

I figured that this was yours as soon as I saw it. (I think that that's a good sign!)

The blacks are a bit too black here for me, although that's just my opinion, so I've made an adjustment using the "shadows/highlights" tool. I didn't alter any settings, they're just as it is when you open it, set to default, as it were.
I've also cleaned up the background in the top right and cropped it slightly.
On the positive side, it's well focused, there's a catchlight in his eye, you've captured his reflection and, since it's one of yours, I'll even believe that the water was that colour!

Nice work.

Bren.

Jestertheclown

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4 Jan 2012 - 10:18 PM

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Quote: Really must learn how to edit but don't feel that brave.

You don't need to be brave to do it; it's uploading the results for the first time that requires a little courage!

Have a go at these things (on a copy of your image) and you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll learn to recognise, not only what needs fixing or altering but how best to go about it.
We weren't all born knowing how to do this and each of us, however much we know already, is still learning. I know you've got some editing software, you don't need Photoshop (yet!), so take the bull by the horns and try it!
You've absolutely nothing to lose and loads to gain.
Trust me!

Bren.

paulbroad

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5 Jan 2012 - 8:39 AM

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Just upping the contrast will make the shadows even darker. You needed a bit more exposure in the first place to brighten things up. The water will have caused the camera to under expose the bird, being lighter. If in range, a burst of flash might help - although the EXIf suggests a long lens setting. Still, try switching that flash on in daylight, you might be surprised.

Paul

pamelajean (Critique Team)

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5 Jan 2012 - 9:43 PM

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Hi, Kathryn. Another good penguin shot, love the water. You really must try some serious editing. You are a keen and quick learner, so you should pick it up in no time. I almost feel apologetic for suggesting editing improvements to your past uploads now. But here I go again. There is a blue cast to the image. The preening action is good but the beak is getting lost against the darkness of the plumage that is being preened. In my modification I removed the blue, which has completely altered the colour of the water. I adjusted highlights, shadows and used "clarify" in PSP. I then removed the noise from the water and cloned out the marks top right.
Pamela.