Does this work?

Was going to post a grey squirrel for comment, but after seeing Danny's beautiful red, thought I'd save it for a while!

Instead interested in views on whether this works. Just a goose caught napping at the park, crept in close then waited for it to realise I was there and open an eye. Converted to B&W to concentrate on the texture of the feathers, with the eye left in colour as I really liked the blue and yellow focal point (albeit quite central).

Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 80-400mm OS @ 400mm, f5.6 for 1/4000 @ ISO 400 (realise I should perhaps have dropped the ISO a bit?) Processed in PSE4.0

Comments welcome

Hi Maguns yes it dose work I have taken the liberty of applying some sharpening by selecting just the white colour (yes I know white isn't colour ) in photoshop you would go to select the then colour range and select the white this would automatically select any white in the image then apply your given amount of USM I usually use 180/0.9 1 or 2 times depending on how it sharpened up.

Phil.

Hi Magnus,

I like the idea, but an image like this needs the eye to be razor sharp, unfortunatly this isn't, at the moment. I would certainly try some more USM and I think that will bring it up. I do like the texture in the feathers and the composition.

Regards

Rob

Phil you type faster than me

not only types faster but processes equally fast

Like lightening!

Hi Magnus,

I think the image works great - Phil's version is a vast improvement (wish I could process at that speed! )

I think Rob has a point though! Images like this the eye must be absolutely tack sharp!

Superb effort and a very nice image!

I also think it works but as said it needs to be pinpoint sharp. Well done!
Rene de Heer

Have to say Magnus on a personnel note I dont normally go for this type of image.
However after seeing Philliphs repost I am thinking differently.

Major.

Personally Magnus I'm with Major on this one. I do think the B/W conversions can work but it seems to me that this particular subject, being almost monochromatic anyway, would probably be better as a colour image. Having said that, I do like the composition.

Thanks all for comments, and Phil for extra processing (again)!

I have had a play about with more USM tonight in Photoshop Elements and got some better results - definitely learning

Hi Magnus it works for me.
John

Hi Magnus,

It works for me. Lots of impact.

Austin

Hi Magnus I like the idea, and Philips repost makes it work pretty neat!

Works for me on the repost

I think that is a fine shot, but it only really works once it is dead sharp. well done.
Eric