Tutorial: A Bird in Hand

 

This post will be a bit of a  tutorial processing-tip. For more of a step by step on using layers see the links at the top of blog  for the   pages:

Tutorial: Textures & Layers   &   Tutorial – Plastic Bottle flower Print .

The first two images are based on the same shot. How were they created to produce the differing textures and colour/hue vibrancy ? The answer comes from using the following layer technique.

 

By first creating a duplicate of the base image ( original shot of the bird )  as a layer you can now modify the textural qualities and the vibrancy of the colours/hues.  I altered the layer creating a drawn line version using a Redfield Plug-in ( these a free, see Photography & Media Resources links on the right side of the blog) , Bas-Relief Effect. To maintain the original glint in the bird’s eye, I removed the bit of the eye on this layer to let this small part of the base image come through unaltered.

The next step requires altering the layer’s setting and opacity.  For the first image, the layer was set for Hard Light. Opacity was kept a 100.  For the second image the layer was set for Overlay . Opacity was set at 97. That difference in setting using the same layer and base image creates the two different  compositions.  The mat edges are produced after, using different textures that I have created.  

Taking the same base image and using a variety of layers & processes produces a very different image. In this case the base image is altered into a B&W High Impact composition. Portions of the very dark elements of the image are replaced with coloured texture. Additional layers blend in more texture & colour and varying opacity levels & light settings.This more complex combination produced this final image.

 

 

This  image has none of the original’s colour. It is high contrast with a bit of soft brown tint. It also incorporates other colours and textures, especially in the dark foreground  ( the gloved hands )  and in the darkened window in the background ( the upper right quadrant  of the image). Once the image is completed the mat edge is then added.

Note: The photograph was taken a number of years ago. The bird in hand had misinterpreted the reflection in one of our windows for the sky.  It was stunned, but it did survive. After about 45 minutes it sufficiently recovered and flew off.

 

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