Image Transition - Snap To Art

Have you ever had one of those shots that you look and say to yourself........"I think this could be more!"

My early years in life, Middle School and High School, I was very into art. I took art class in 7th grade, then again in my 9th-12th grade years. I envisioned myself becoming a Wildlife Artist. However unethical Art Teachers and probably a lack of talent on my end curbed and waned my enthusiasm.

As a result I bought my first camera, a Canon TX, totally mechanical and manual camera body in December of 1978. From that day on I continually transition from one dream to another......from one artistic field to another.

I found that what I seemed to lack in art photography made up for.

Throughout the years I've honed and cultivated the artist in me. I like to consider myself a Photographic Artist, not only a Photographer. Each and every step I take today predetermined by hours of constant thought and assessment of each and every next step. The path to which I will ultimately take me to my final destination.

My goal.......my ambition is distinguish myself through my craft to become a Photographic Artist.

When I take images I evaluate the results. Carefully selecting images that I believe best resemble and exhibit my personal brand. Of those images I distinguish the image(s) that I consider potential art.

Bald Eagle, Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery Alabama

This shot is just such a capture. Taken while in it's cage under subdued, yet even lighting with just a slight amount of backlight.

Nikon D810

Nikon 200-400mm f4 Lens

Focal Length: 400mm

Exposure: 1/200sec @ f4

ISO 800

Mode: Manual

Most people would look at this shot and say......hopeless. As a photographic artist I immediately saw such potention. I began mentally to determine the negative aspects of the photo and what to do to remedy and correct them.

1. Subject placement needs adjustment to the right. This was needed to give the subject space to looking into using the Rule of Thirds.

2. Highlight areas in the background drawing attention from the subject. White is the strongest tone in photography.

3. The parts of the tree branches are additional distraction to the image.

4. The vertical lines created from the enclosure materials also distracting to the subject.

Downloaded Texture

I decided that utilizing a texture would help to cover up the distracting elements and produce a better background.

This is my final image. I left some traces of the highlight Bokeh areas to create some variance to the background. I was careful to keep those areas reduced to avoid distraction from the main subject.

Note: Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Photoshop and Nik Color Efex 4 were utilized to complete this image.

#nikon #d810 #eagle #baldeagle #zoo #captive #enclosure #louiscurtisphotography