Belted Kingfisher


Posted by Katlady on Sat Dec 26, 2015 8:46 am

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We watched and watched this guy from afar and then all of a sudden he was much closer on a very interesting perch. A small tree, that had no leaves that bordered the pond. As soon as I took this I knew I wanted to do something in B & W. The starkness just begged for monochrome. 

Post: I did a very simple conversion to B & W and then applied Topaz-Adjust-Sketch. I also intensified the black which brought out the starkness of the whites without losing detail.

Thanks for looking.

Comments welcome.
website: www.kathyurbach.smugmug.com
Observing and recording nature should always be done with awe and the knowledge that it is a privilege to just be there!
        -Kathy Urbach-

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by Cynthia Crawford on Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:45 am
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Hi Kat

I can see why you would want to do this- striking contrasts and that deep black really make the kingfisher pop. The tonal values are also very well done. I like the subtle use of Topaz sketch as well. I like this very much! Something in me , used to reading from left to right wants to do a horizontal reverse. Just me....
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by Gary Briney on Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:39 pm
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Lovely image Kat -- b/w works well here!
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by Cynthia Crawford on Sun Dec 27, 2015 12:16 pm
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Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hi Kat

I can see why you would want to do this- striking contrasts and that deep black really make the kingfisher pop. The tonal values are also very well done. I like the subtle use of Topaz sketch as well. I like this very much! Something in me , used to reading from left to right wants to do a horizontal reverse. Just me....
And...in retrospect...don't see any reason to reverse this image. Different days, different feelings, I guess!
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Katlady on Sun Dec 27, 2015 1:23 pm
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Cynthia Crawford wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hi Kat

I can see why you would want to do this- striking contrasts and that deep black really make the kingfisher pop. The tonal values are also very well done. I like the subtle use of Topaz sketch as well. I like this very much! Something in me , used to reading from left to right wants to do a horizontal reverse. Just me....
And...in retrospect...don't see any reason to reverse this image. Different days, different feelings, I guess!

Too funny. I was going to do it just for you. So we could see......actually I wish I had just turned the bird around to face the open area. (Too much work!) Thanks for your input.
website: www.kathyurbach.smugmug.com
Observing and recording nature should always be done with awe and the knowledge that it is a privilege to just be there!
        -Kathy Urbach-
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Sun Dec 27, 2015 8:38 pm
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Katlady wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hi Kat

I can see why you would want to do this- striking contrasts and that deep black really make the kingfisher pop. The tonal values are also very well done. I like the subtle use of Topaz sketch as well. I like this very much! Something in me , used to reading from left to right wants to do a horizontal reverse. Just me....
And...in retrospect...don't see any reason to reverse this image. Different days, different feelings, I guess!

Too funny. I was going to do it just for you. So we could see......actually I wish I had just turned the bird around to face the open area. (Too much work!) Thanks for your input.
Ha ha! But if you turned the bird around it would be staring off into space! ;)
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Katlady on Sun Dec 27, 2015 9:17 pm
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In regular bird photography you want the bird to have space in the direction they are looking but the tree here lends more to abstract. So much conversation ofn this little guy. LOL
website: www.kathyurbach.smugmug.com
Observing and recording nature should always be done with awe and the knowledge that it is a privilege to just be there!
        -Kathy Urbach-
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:10 am
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Katlady wrote:In regular bird photography you want the bird to have space in the direction they are looking but the tree here lends more to abstract. So much conversation ofn this little guy. LOL
Hmmm, I suppose....this is out of the box then.  That sharp beak looking the other way would lead me right out of the picture. I like that the bird has something to look at. Rules are made to be broken, eh?  :P
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Katlady on Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:28 am
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Cynthia Crawford wrote:
Katlady wrote:In regular bird photography you want the bird to have space in the direction they are looking but the tree here lends more to abstract. So much conversation ofn this little guy. LOL
Hmmm, I suppose....this is out of the box then.  That sharp beak looking the other way would lead me right out of the picture. I like that the bird has something to look at. Rules are made to be broken, eh?  :P


I live my life, breaking the rules.
website: www.kathyurbach.smugmug.com
Observing and recording nature should always be done with awe and the knowledge that it is a privilege to just be there!
        -Kathy Urbach-
 

by MGohly on Sun Jan 17, 2016 2:49 am
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Great contrast and great work…:)
 

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