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The Bird Flip
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The Bird Flip

by Marsel van Oosten

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted December 4, 20081,005 views12 comments
This may seem like a pretty straightforward shot, but there are two reasons for posting this here.

The main reason is that a few things were wrong with this shot. The bird originally was looking to the right, out of the frame, which I didn't like, so I flipped the bird. Also, some of the branches were touching the edges of the frame, something I always try to avoid, so I shortened them. I usually don't do this, but in this case I didn't like the image as it was, it was impossible to get it right at the scene, but I saw there was potential and decided to give it a try.

The second reason is that this bird is way too small for the avian forum. :wink:

The image was shot during last year's trip to Namibia. In the background you see one of the famous red sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 4, 2008 at 11:09 AM
It's a beautiful shot--i suspect i would have liked it even with the perceived "flaws" of the original!
BTW, i responded to your comment on my taffic post.
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Jarrod Erbe on December 4, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I like the composition!
Registered on January 23, 2004, 34 Posts, 81 Comments
Comment posted by David W. Kelly on December 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Marsel I really like what you have done here. Great color scheme. :smile:
Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on December 6, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Well, this is certainly a testament to your PS skills, Marsel. Had you not mentioned the alterations, I would have never known. Excellent image!
Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments
Comment posted by David Cobb on December 6, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Beautifully done Marsel, this is just wonderful.

David M. Cobb
Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments
Comment posted by Winnie Ho on December 9, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Looks natural to me... beautiful image Marsel, and congrats on the EP! :toast:
Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on December 9, 2008 at 3:56 AM
Oh, well done, Marsel! This is beatiful. I love the bird-in-environment scene and the way the bird stands out in it's black and white tux. And while it stands out, the tree allows everything to come together in an artful dance with the lovely color of the bg. Congrats on the EP.
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 9, 2008 at 6:57 AM
Great composition and colors Marsel. You sure have an eye for artistic images! :toast: The PS work looks very good on this presentation, yet I am curious to watch this @100% to see how good your PS skills were on flipping the bird... :wink:
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 9, 2008 at 3:44 PM
This gives all new meaning to "flipping the bird". :biggrin: Excellent job on the technical end Marsel, and a lovely image. Congrats on the EP.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on December 11, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Thank you so much for all the kind words, and for the EP! :wavey:
Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Benner on December 20, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Nice touches - well thought-out.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 23, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Great comp and great work on the file.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments