image doctor
Image Doctor: Conversing Elephants
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Photographer: Peter Higgins Added: 19-Jul-12 Camera Type: Canon EOS 60D Lens: Canon EFS 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Shutter Speed: 1/160 Aperture: 5.6 |
Adjustments: Nil. Photographer's Comments: Taken at the Elephant Valley Project in Sen Monorom, Cambodia in Dec 2011. |
Image doctor's advice
Hi Peter,
I like this photograph; it is an interesting profile shot and an interesting moment in time.
One thing is distracting for me though, and that is the green in the background. As much as I want to enjoy looking at the two elephants, my eyes keep getting drawn to the bright green. This is why in many instances colour can be a distracting element in a photograph.
The simple way to resolve this problem is to convert the photograph into black-and-white.
In the example below I have converted the photograph using Nik Software Silver Efex Pro. Aside from adding a warm tone to the image I have also used control points to keep the elephant in the foreground light and darkening the elephant in the background. I have also added “Structure” to the image to help enhance the lines on the elephant.
After making the black-and-white conversion I then used the Spot Healing Brush to remove any problems highlights in the photograph.
I think in this final version we get a feeling of empathy for the elephant in the foreground. Give this a go for yourself and see how you get on.
Cheers, Anthony
Image Doctor's edited version
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Rob on 28-Sep-12 07:36 AM
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