Focused
by Refocused

Comment by Refocused:

Originally posted by vawendy: I'm wondering if you did sharpening on the whole image? It looks like there's some strange things going on in parts of the background, especially in the lower right? If you're working on sharpening and clarity, you might want to do it on the bird, and not on the background to make it look a bit more natural. You don't need to blur it, just don't sharpen or even just reduce clarity in camera RAW if you're using Adobe. Great capture, a bit uncomfortable in the processing.

Thank you for the comment Wendy. Yes, you are correct. I noticed the distortion of the backround. It seems to occur when I use my 100-400 lens on certain images when I try to sharpen the image with Topaz. I should have as you suggested tried to selectively sharpen the bird. It's an unappealing backround and I thought it made it look a little like water:( so I left it alone.

Focused
by Refocused

Comment by Neat:
Wonderful image, was in my second round of picks!

Focused
by Refocused

Comment by roz:
amazing capture Larry .. and many congratulations on the ribbon ..

I'm only looking at this on my phone so i'm not getting the full impact ..
but I did wonder about the background too .. so I'll be interested to hear your response to Wendy .. :)

A Sturdy Perch
by Refocused

Comment by jomari:
Congrats on the blue. Fabulous shot.

A Sturdy Perch
by Refocused

Comment by vawendy:
Very well done! I love the sleet on the face. Really tells a story

A Sturdy Perch
by Refocused

Comment by Barroness:
This is a superduper image! How on earth did you manage this???
Well deserving of the blue. Congratulations. A top pick for me.

A Sturdy Perch
by Refocused

Comment by tate:
Love it!

A Sturdy Perch
by Refocused

Comment by roz:
this is like a miracle ..
the chain as a major player in the image .. and then the bird ..
blue bird .. and blue ribbon ..
very fitting ..
many congratulations on such a perfect image for the challenge .. :)

Focused
by Refocused

Comment by vawendy:
I'm wondering if you did sharpening on the whole image? It looks like there's some strange things going on in parts of the background, especially in the lower right? If you're working on sharpening and clarity, you might want to do it on the bird, and not on the background to make it look a bit more natural. You don't need to blur it, just don't sharpen or even just reduce clarity in camera RAW if you're using Adobe. Great capture, a bit uncomfortable in the processing.

Last Train Of The Night
by Refocused

Comment by Refocused:

Originally posted by LevT: You could call it "Anna Karenina's last view" )). Nice shot Larry, and well processed!

Wished I had thought of it ;) !