The One Four Challenge for January is now into its second week. This is a fantastic photo processing project hosted by Robyn Gosby at Captivate Me whereby we work on editing an image in four different way over four weeks.
This week’s Process – Swirls
For this week’s processing I have been a little hesitant, wanting to restore some detail in the wings and beak of my spoonbills, without going back to a ‘purist’ photograph. I have to add that I am also short on time and power, since we are still sailing on our catamaran, which means I cannot always count on internet coverage in an anchorage and enough electricity production from the solar panels to do a lot of experimenting with my image! Excuses, excuses…
So this week’s offering is simple: I have taken the slightly edited version of the original with greater contrast and saturation, and put it through the “Tangled FX” app, using the Swirls effects. I have tweaked the colour boost and contrast again, and Voila!
Week 2 – Swirls
I like the result: clear, crisp reeds in the background, texture in the foreground and greater detail in the wings and beaks.
Here are the two processes to date as well as the original, so you see the progression:
As usual, your comments are welcome. Let me know what you think, and be sure to check out other participants’ work through this link to the One Four Challenge tag.
Sv-Anui 
Love the texture it gives to the wings and the squiggly reeds 🙂
Hi Stacey, yes the reeds came out nicely😊
I like this image and what you’re doing with it. This week has some things going for it – There is something to be said for getting more detail back into it. I think, though, I like last week’s more.
Thanks Joanne. It’s all a matter of taste and exploration isn’t it😊
Hi Chris – I really like this week’s edit again and staying true to your artful explorations 🙂
The contrast, detail and lightness are wonderful as are the textures.
These spoonbills look so graceful.
Wonderful edit Chris 🙂
Thank you for the lovely feedback Robyn. I feel I am cheating a bit with the app, but I still like the result.
I really love the colors and the crisp details of the wings. Beautiful.
Thanks so much Carrie!
It’s wonderful Chris!! Whatever you do with it – it’s such a great shot- an aerial ballet!! I wish I could put the tangled fx on my pc!!!
Thanks Cybele for your kindness. Tangled FX is good only in a limited range of shots. It seems to work with the fur on animals, the wings on birds etc, but can be a bit over the top! Not good for soft doll faces I don’t think!😊
I like both of the processes you have used, but especially the first one. I look forward to seeing the next 😊.
Thank you Pam! It’s fun to experiment.
You’re welcome! I’m a little sad not to participate this month, but I couldn’t decide on a photo!!! Maybe next time 😊.
I wasn’t going to take part either – it’s fun but a lot of work keeping track of entries and commenting, as well as doing the edits – especially while sailing! But I so enjoy the interaction and learning that I joined in again😊
I have enjoyed seeing all the entries :-). Glad you are participating!
A lovely panoply of good choices!
Nice! 😊
Lovely colors and detail….manages to convey the motion as well. Nice.
Thank you for the nuce feedback.
Feels a bit like a Van Gogh.
Wow that’s flattering! Thanks guys!
Simple, yes, but very effective, Chris. I admire how you’re catering to your artistic side with this image! 🙂
Thanks Anita – it is just interesting to mix different aspects of visual art!
Love both the week 1 and week 2 versions – now you’ve got me thinking that I need to try out both Sketchguru and Tangled FX (which actually didn’t tangle the image at all). You make both of them look like so much fun!
You really should try them – easy peasy to use if you like painterly effects!
The Gouache effect last week was interesting but I really like the swirls this week. For me the details make the image.
It’s true Ben, last week was stylused, whereas this week the details are back and add interest. Thanks for commenting.
Nice edit, Chris. The swirls in the background really make the spoonbills stand out. I love the texture and detail.
Thanks a lot Katie!
Two totally different effects. Really liked the more abstract one last week (my opinion only) but this week with the added bits of detail gives it more interest. Both great edits and looking forward to next weeks Chris.
Thanks Lee – agree with, more detail is better! Although the gouache appealed to my amateur painter’s eye, this week’s satisfies my bird watcher’s passion!
Great shot! The process is amazing!
And surprisingly easy!😊
Cool swirly effects. I like the way the birds stand out from the background
Thanks Marsha!
Beautiful details, I must say it again – what a great capture.
I like this better than the last one, the birds looks good and I can see their beeks. The reeds in the background are clearer too. Again well done
Hi Sue- this one was quite good fun to edit and the colours are nice and rich too. Thanks for commenting😊