Feeling tired?

[Stan]

Re: Feeling tired?

The raised platform was closed to the public, and we were not permitted beyond the outer fence. So no poking allowed!

I don't know about the poking through the holes but in their advertising blurb for the Wednesdays they specifically mention the raised platform which provides great photo opportunities

Stan

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Agree Stan it's in the literature, but yesterday there was a chain across and a no admittance sign. I didn't ask but perhaps there's an elfin safety issue.

One thing I must say though all the staff and volunteers were incredibly friendly and helpful - knowledgeable too.

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Thanks John, David & Nat. I do like you images David. Perhaps I should start saving. No birthday until December though!

[Parsen66]

Re: Feeling tired?

Hope you don't mind this but I fancied trying out my PS skills to see if I could remove the background. I'm reasonably happy with it. I have already deleted them from my side.

17210105466_6af44b1324_o copy.jpg

[Tigger]

Re: Feeling tired?

just what I had in mind Alan .....

I've got a few more I'll send over to you as well

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Wow! that's tremendous Alan, well done! I certainly don't mind. For us beginners, could you do a quick "bullet point" step by step?

[Tigger]

Re: Feeling tired?

a lot is about the refine tool in PS Russell .....apparently - I've watched this video but still need to put it into practice

[Parsen66]

Re: Feeling tired?

Wow! that's tremendous Alan, well done! I certainly don't mind. For us beginners, could you do a quick "bullet point" step by step?

Russell, I am by no means an expert or anywhere near that, but I like to have a go and see what I can make happen. For that reason my workflow is rather all over the place until I find what I'm looking for

Here's my method:

1) always make background copy so the original is there to revert back to when it will inevitably go wrong!
2) new layer filling it with solid black (this did get moved up and down the layers until I got it in the right place so that the selection showed through)
3) new layer, using the quick selection tool select the outline of the subject as close as you can
4) use refine edge (as Ian mentioned) to grab the bits youve missed not forgetting the hairs. Within this tool you can change the amount of feather etc to get the selection as good as you can
5) output the selection to a new layer with mask
6) I did use a black brush to cover anything that I had missed in the background
7) new hue/saturation layer to lose the green hue that has bounced onto the fur from the original green background(clipped to the layer below)
8) new curves adjustment layer to boost the whites a little and add some more contrast
9) a little dodging and burning especially to the teeth to make them 'pop' a little more

And that's all there is to it

As I said at the start, this may not be the 'proper' way but the route I took to get the end result. I hope it helps.

[Dave s]

Re: Feeling tired?

I like it Russell well caught ,wouldn't mind seeing more shots of the wolves if have any

[Redgrape]

Re: Feeling tired?

I like the shot and it certainly makes me want to yawn!
I also had the same issue at Woodside with a shot I took of a wolf but I do like the black background that Alan has done & will try it on my shot of a wolf. So thanks for that info.
Sue

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Thanks Ian for the video & Alan for the detailed explanation. I had a go last night & though the result was not as good as yours Alan, practice makes perfect - so they say.

ouldn't mind seeing more shots of the wolves if have any

There are a few more on my Flickr page Dave, and good luck with the editing Sue.

[Tigger]

Re: Feeling tired?

Thanks Ian for the video & Alan for the detailed explanation. I had a go last night & though the result was not as good as yours Alan, practice makes perfect - so they say.

.

its not easy is it !! I've tried it on a horse, so no where near as complicated as your wolf shot but I could get anywhere near Alans result - as you say practice makes perfect

Also welcome to the four figure club

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Also welcome to the four figure club

I hadn't noticed, thanks Ian.

[Columbarius]

Re: Feeling tired?

Well I tried:

Arctic Wolf - small by PhotographyRussell, on Flickr

[Tigger]

Re: Feeling tired?

and a great result too