{"id":11264,"date":"2012-09-05T20:12:27","date_gmt":"2012-09-06T00:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=11264"},"modified":"2012-09-05T20:12:27","modified_gmt":"2012-09-06T00:12:27","slug":"leaf-too-long-confessions-of-an-edge-freak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2012\/09\/05\/leaf-too-long-confessions-of-an-edge-freak\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaf Too Long? Confessions of an Edge-Freak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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This backlit sunflower image was created the afternoon before Denise Ippolito’s A Creative Adventure<\/a> sunflower workshop in Newton, NJ in early August. I used my favorite new macro rig, the 500 f\/4L IS II: Canon 500mm f\/4L IS II lens<\/a> and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III<\/a>. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/13 sec. at f\/16 in Av mode. <\/p>\n

Central sensor\/AI Servo Surround\/Rear Focus AF on the flower center and recompose. Click here<\/a> if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Leaf Too Long? Confessions of an Edge-Freak<\/h3>\n

I loved the backlight here and made several images moving a bit to the left or right. This was my favorite frame because it had the nicest background and because it had the strongest backlight. But. I clipped the leaf on the edge of the frame. For me, that is a cardinal sin. I tried bringing in the tip of the leaf from one of the properly framed images, but nothing worked despite repeated attempts. So I gave up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Here is a close-up view of my crime. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

In the Art of Bird Photography II in the chapter on Advanced Composition and Image Design I (think that I wrote) “If an object is worth including in the frame be sure to include the whole thing with at least a small border.” If I did not write that there, I have said is a thousand times here, at seminars, and on IPTs. Become an Edge-Freak. It is much easier to deal with objects that merge with the frame edge in the field than it is in post processing. <\/p>\n

In Digital Basics<\/a> I wrote something to this effect: “We have taught you how to use lots of tools and we have taught you many techniques, but sometimes you need to put your thinking cap on, get creative, and come up with something new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Here is a close-up view of of the repaired leaf. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

I came across this image yesterday and suddenly a plan to repair the leaf came to mind. I made a Quick Mask of the upper edge of the leaf and put it on its own layer. I moved it to my right a bit, re-positioned it, and warped it. I left the layer intact, went back to the background layer, painted a Quick Mask of the lower edge of the lead, and repeated the additional steps above. Then I added a Layer Mask to each of the two edge layers and painted away as needed to give the now shortened leaf a nice point. All that was left was to paint a third Quick Mask with some brown center of the sunflower behind the formerly offending leaf, move it into place, add a Layer Mask, and paint away as needed to reveal the pointy tip of the new leaf below. It sounds like a lot of work but actually took about four minutes. That compared to the 40 minutes that I spent on my misguided efforts. <\/p>\n

Most everything above is covered in detail in Digital Basics<\/a>. Advanced Quick Masking Techniques including warping and re-positioning are covered in APTATS I<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This is the optimized image; note that the leaf is not longer clipped. Let’s call this Image A. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

I was not sure that I liked all the specular highlights in the optimized image so I went back to work using the Clone Stamp Tool at reduced opacity, varying between 40 and 70%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This is the image after I dealt with the specular highlights. Let’s call this Image B. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Do understand that our the image directly above, Image B, is what our eyes would see. The specular highlights are caused by points of light being reflected (if that is the right word) off internal lens elements. <\/p>\n

Which Do You Like Better?<\/h3>\n

Take a moment to let us know which image you like better, Image A or Image B. And be sure to let us know why. <\/p>\n

Delkin 700X CompactFlash Pro UDMA Enabled Cards<\/h3>\n

You can learn more about Delkin\u2019s new 700X CompactFlash Pro UDMA Enabled Cards by clicking here<\/a> and learn why the 1000X cards are overkill for still photographers. These cards are as important to my 5DIII as the batteries in the vertical battery grip!<\/p>\n

Shopper’s Guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Below is a list of the gear used to create the images in today’s post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide<\/a>. <\/p>\n