High Key Grebe

Here's something a little different from me. I was photographing birds today in SE Fort Collins and came across some grebes at Fossil Creek Res. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately ) I overexposed the water on several shots (bland overcast skies), yet managed to retain sufficient detail on this Horned Grebe. In Photoshop I toned down the highlights a bit, then pumped up the contrast giving this image a watercolor or graphite pen sort of look but no "special effects" filters were really used. It looks more like "photo art" than a photograph now to me but I like the effect. What do you think? Yay or nay?

Hey Joshua, I like the High key, works well since the Grebe has some nice colours!. Only thing I would of perhaps done differently, is compose the Grebe with more room in front of it than behind. I see why you framed it like this with the wake, but to me feels like the Grebe is exiting the scene rather than coming into it, just my opinion though :).

I like the high-key effect on the water and the complimentary colors. It does make for a very artistic rendering. I also like the sense of motion from the wake. Being so near to leaving the frame, it does make me want to say, "Hey, wait a minute, come back here, I want to see more."

+1 on the above comments. I really like the result. Definitely "fortunate", if you ask me. I too discovered the beauty of overexposed water last week. Mine came out like an etching. Fun stuff.

A square crop is also really nice - offering less of the "leaving" feeling.

I like the high-key effect a lot. I would like to see a tighter crop on the bird, though. There's some interesting stuff going on with it's reflection.

Really like the colors in the grebe. I agree about adding a little more room in the front of the grebe.

I like the effect. All those little artifacts in the water add to the image.

Josh, I have nothing new to add....just want to say I agree with others about the room in front, but I do like the colors

Nice color on the Grebe ..

I think it works pretty well. It's not your standard fare (RE: spacing, etc.) but that's fine by me.

Thanks for the comments guys!