5/10/2005 6:49:08 PM

Love your work on this image, Deborah!! Beautiful effects and presentation!! Love it!!

5/10/2005 6:56:54 PM

WOW, WOW, WOW, so beautifully done, gorgeous, nice colors. How did you do it?

5/10/2005 7:03:36 PM

Thank you so much, Nobi, Sanjay and Nemil!! You're very encouraging, and I appreciate your kind words! :o) Hi Nemil, this composition was created in Photoshop (the sun and silhouettes are "real" photos). The egret pair silhouette was repositioned so the pair faced each other. The sun was yesterday's sunrise, the black background and watery reflections were added in Photoshop - all combined to create a new image!

5/10/2005 7:16:57 PM

Deborah this is awesome. Love the lighting and the two egrets center in the middle of the light and rest of the image dark. It POPS off the page big time. Just lovely. Kerby

5/10/2005 7:22:25 PM

I think we have another winner here... Good luck with this Deborah.. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!

5/10/2005 7:41:48 PM

This is abolutely gorgeous. I love your creativity!!!!

5/10/2005 7:54:03 PM

Incredibly beautiful deborah !!

5/10/2005 7:57:25 PM

Lovely!!
Kathleen

5/10/2005 9:35:26 PM

Your technique in bird imagery is remarkable, Deborah, and just inspiring! Depth of colors, as well as clarity, is just amazingly beautiful!!
Much Aloha,
Stan

5/11/2005 1:37:16 AM

Thank you very much, Kerby, Kara, Donna, Cathy, Kathleen and Stan - I appreciate your thoughtful words and so pleased you liked this!

5/11/2005 3:04:58 PM

Totally awesome---beautiful----I'm almost speechless!

5/11/2005 3:41:17 PM

Fantastic Work Deborah!!!

Jill :)

5/11/2005 3:46:28 PM

Thank you Connie and Jill for your kind comments!

5/11/2005 3:52:41 PM

Stunning

5/11/2005 4:11:38 PM

OH MY GOSH!!!! This is AWESOME, Deborah!!! Winner on this one!!! I'm just trying to get a great photo of an Egret. You are definitely THE BEST photographer on these beautiful birds!!!! Please keep them coming........anita

5/11/2005 4:34:52 PM

One more WOW from me, Deborah!!

5/11/2005 4:57:52 PM

Thank you, Anita and Goshka!

5/11/2005 7:17:26 PM

Great image! Love your gallery! You definitely have a gift. Never thought of these birds as beautiful, til now.

5/11/2005 7:42:50 PM

Amazing idea and effects Deborah. Beautiful birds.

5/12/2005 9:00:38 AM

Beautiful effects!!!! Gorgeous image!!!

5/12/2005 10:41:39 AM

Thank you Christy, Kate and Laurence, your comments are deeply appreciated!

5/12/2005 6:04:40 PM

Dear Deborah, this is too magnificent!!

5/14/2005 11:42:23 AM

Hi Deborah...
You always come up with a unique take on your now infamous 'egret' homages...and again, to no surprise, you've made another beauty! :-)
cheers
michael

5/18/2005 5:01:08 AM

Thanks so much for your kind words, Siete and Michael!

5/18/2005 9:20:25 AM

Congrats on being in the DD Newsletter Deborah!!!

5/19/2005 7:10:45 AM

Great photo! How did you go about metering the light?

5/19/2005 12:11:50 PM

Thank you, Kara & George! Hi George, the "real" parts of this images were taken at sunrise on different days. No exposure compensation for the sun and I exposed for the water (reflecting the light) beside the egrets. With the sun, I started out playing with the idea of Arthur Morris' keyhole technique for silhouettes, but my cormorant wasn't cooperating, so I played with sun instead!

5/19/2005 12:32:07 PM

I admire the artistry of your creation but that's not the thrust of my remarks which are more philosophic than otherwise. What your work brings to mind is at some point we are going to need a re-definition of art forms. If this image were presented as a photograph it would be a fabrication. In fact, that's the first thing I asked: is this a photograph or is a photoshop composite? So thank you for your honest explanation. Of course, the question itself doesn't compromise either your expertise or aesthetics but clearly there are two different technologies at play. Someone putting himself into position, perhaps after days of searching, to actually photograph a lynx leaping across rocks would have gotten a one in a million shot and it should receive proportional acclaim. I actually saw such an image and the shadow detail revealed that it wasn't what it purported to be - it wasn't a photograph of the moment, but a composite created in photoshop but not declared. Both Bryan Petterson and Galen Rowell speak to this issue, the integrity of the image. So perhaps we need two words: a photograph and a photoshopgraph. Please, listen, I'm not trying to denigrate anything. Art is art and it's valid in whatever form. But I find myself asking whenever I see an amazing photo: did this actually happen in nature or am I seeing a an image created in a darkroom (photoshop)? As long as the photograph cum photoshop technician declares which it is (as you did) then we can relax and just enjoy the artistry. I hope I don't provoke a firestorm of replies. It's really a question that has to do with the philosophy of aesthetics, that's all. David

5/19/2005 2:29:02 PM

Wow, Deborah!!! What a magnificent DIGITAL image you've chosen to enter today in this DIGITAL image contest!!!! ... Excellent work on this! I absolutely love it!! I'd bet we'll see this one again! ...

5/19/2005 2:40:23 PM

Thank you for you comments and constructive feedback! I understand your point, David, and I appreciate that you brought it up. I agree, art may assume a variety of forms, all are valid... including "digital art" which is presented as such. And you're right, for any outstanding photograph -- the viewer begs the question, "Is it real?" I'm sure there are many "photoshop technicians" out there, (but there are also "digital artists" who enjoy using Photoshop or Painter as a creative art form or virtual paintbrush.) Regarding redefinition of art forms, I believe it's been done. For example, most digital artists refer to their work as "digital art," and the category here at BetterPhoto -- "Digital Darkroom" is precisely for such creations. However, your point remains, and is well taken -- I understand the intent of your comments.
Kind regards, ~ Deb

5/19/2005 4:06:41 PM

Deb - thank you, thank you for capturing the spirit of my comments and giving such a thoughtful reply - my hat's off to you. :-) I'm still working hard to perfect my in camera images and certainly admire your virtuosity in the virtual darkroom. I also note that you're shooting with the D2x. I hefted one in Wolfe Camera the other day and was blown away. I'm very happy with my D100 but the D2x was something else. I had expected something cumbersome and heavy but it was so ergonomic, it just felt it like belonged in my hand (but for now my wallet doesn't agree). However, if I could change the subject somewhat, if you don't mind, could you tell me what kind of work flow you're using now that you are dealing with the D2x files? Are you using raw or JPEG primarily? What size files are you working with? Platform? Speed of processor? Amount of memory? Is your work flow fast or slow with that setup? Did you have to upgrade your computer or memory to cope with the file sizes? Sorry for the volley of questions.:-(
David

5/19/2005 4:28:00 PM

Deborah, this is truely awesome!!You've out did yourself again with this one. You are the Queen of birds shots and now now the Ruler of these digital silhouette's!! Congrats on making the DD newsletter and on such a masterpiece of "Digital Art".

5/19/2005 5:13:30 PM

Thank you very much, Michael! LOL, that's quite a title, I'm honored and I appreciate your kind words!
Hello again David, you’re very welcome! The D2X is a fantastic camera! It has all the features the D100 never had (but wished for.) My workflow is a little cumbersome at the moment. I shoot in raw -- I just upgraded to PSCS2, but I don’t like D2X raw files managed in Adobe (white balance issues.) I’m definitely not a technical guru, but they never seem to look as good as in Capture. (I start with View, Capture, then Photoshop, a very circuitous route!) I’m sure there is a better way and somebody will read this and enlighten me. My desktop has an Intel Pentium 4 processor, 2.80 Ghz, 160 GB hard drive with 512 MB of ram (which was upgraded when I bought the D2X. It's as fast as its going to get with what I have. (I can see how the next generation of computers will address the ever increasing digital file size and the more sophisticated software that manages them!)
~ Deb

5/19/2005 6:13:18 PM

Bravo! Absolutely breathtaking!

5/20/2005 2:09:06 AM

Normaly I don't care much for digital manipulatin but this one is very awsome. Good work.

5/20/2005 9:50:56 AM

Thank you, Brooke and Scott! Hi Scott, I'm glad this image is one you enjoyed! Thanks bunches!

5/20/2005 11:39:39 AM

Many congratulations on this fantastic finalist!!

5/22/2005 2:26:36 PM

Another great digital darkroom entry!

I, for one, am not fortunate enough to have the time to sit and wait for the "magical moment" that comes around once in a blue moon. A lot of photographers, professional and amature, have all the money and time that it takes to get those shots.
So I ask this of David (take this in the same spirit that you ask your questions)...Does that mean only the fortunate can have great photographs? I guarantee you that most of us could have a kick ass gallery if we had more money and time to devote to photography instead of a regular job and a family to spend time with. And I bet that most of us at bp do the best with what we have to work with.
I admire all kinds of art and if it makes someone smile, feel good or evokes any sort of feeling then I believe that is as good a "photo" as a photo that was shot with the best equipment that costs thousands of dollars. I hope you understand the intent of my comment as it is not intended to be malicious.
Thanks Deborah for letting me comment back to David since I tend to use my camera as a first and crutial step to my work but not as a final step!
Again keep up the good work with the birds...I only got the 2 minutes with them!
~:O)

5/27/2005 9:59:43 AM

Wonderful work. The birds look so graceful in silhouette and the sunset makes them really pop out. I also just visited your gallery after reading everyone else's comments and I must say that your bird collection (as well as the rest of them) is a joy to look at.

6/8/2005 7:48:44 AM

Hello Jonna, Bob and Odelia - thanks so much for your comments! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts too!

6/8/2005 3:33:00 PM

ya can't beat this Deborah...a BIG Congrats to you!!

6/21/2005 3:39:36 PM

This must be just the start Deborah, Congratulations!

6/21/2005 4:50:14 PM

More beautiful than ever, Deborah!!!
Congratulations on your finalist!!!
Best wishes for the next round.

6/21/2005 8:14:45 PM

A very big congrats, Deborah!!!!

6/21/2005 9:15:55 PM

Congratulations on this fantastic image, Deborah!

6/21/2005 11:07:33 PM

Beautiful, Deborah, another big congrats!!

6/21/2005 11:11:26 PM

Fantasttic work, Deborah! Congratulations!!

6/22/2005 5:10:05 AM

Congratulations on this creative Finalist, Deborah!!

6/22/2005 5:36:36 AM

Wonderful image. Great job with PhotoShop

6/22/2005 5:42:11 AM

One of my new favorites of yours Deborah! Many congrats on this great finalist!

da

6/22/2005 7:30:01 AM

Thank you for your kind congrats and good wishes - very much appreciated!

6/22/2005 7:46:07 AM

love this ! congrats!

6/22/2005 8:07:54 AM

Congrats, Deborah!

6/22/2005 12:08:46 PM

Congratulations on a beautiful picture. Good luck in the next round.

6/22/2005 1:09:14 PM

Thank you very much Laura, Judy and Kay!

6/22/2005 7:47:11 PM

Big congrats on your POTD, Deborah :0))!

7/8/2005 12:13:18 AM

Wowsa... Many congratulations on your very beautiful POTD, Deborah!

7/8/2005 12:22:18 AM

CONGRATULATIONS on this OUTSTANDING POTD win, Deborah!!

7/8/2005 12:28:25 AM

Whoa!! what and outstanding picture, absolutely gorgeous, Well done!!

7/8/2005 12:28:29 AM

Nobody does them like you do, Deborah!! What a fantastic choice for the POTD, and big CONGRATULATIONS to you!!
Much Aloha,
Stan

7/8/2005 12:53:30 AM

What a thought-provoking and positive thread, Deborah, almost as fascinating as this truly remarkable image, whatever art form you'd like to categoize it as!!! Congratulations on your POTD, I always enjoy viewing your avian masterpieces!!

7/8/2005 12:56:28 AM

Congrats on your POTD, Deborah!!

7/8/2005 2:51:08 AM

FANTASTIC! Big Congratulations!

7/8/2005 3:04:46 AM

Congrats to you, Deborah!

7/8/2005 3:38:42 AM

Congratulation's on this beautiful picture of the day, Deborah!!!

7/8/2005 3:38:50 AM

So unique and colorful!
Congratulations, Deborah!

bill

7/8/2005 3:40:02 AM

congrats on your POTD

7/8/2005 3:56:54 AM

Fantastic, so well done. Congrats to you.

7/8/2005 4:01:53 AM

Congrats on this beautiful piece of art and your POD.

7/8/2005 4:06:47 AM

Congratulations on this gorgeous POTD, Deborah!!!

7/8/2005 4:08:00 AM

Congratulations on this awesome POTD!!!!

7/8/2005 4:24:18 AM

This is very nice. I thought you had submitted this a while back.

7/8/2005 4:26:15 AM

Congrats on your POTD, Deb!!

7/8/2005 4:32:07 AM

A true work of ART!! Love your creativity Deborah, congrats!!!!

7/8/2005 4:32:56 AM

Hi Deb!Congratulations On Your POTD Very Well Done:-)

7/8/2005 4:35:03 AM

Fantastic!!

7/8/2005 4:46:42 AM

AWESOME!!!!!! Congratulations Debbie....well deserved!!!!!!

7/8/2005 5:04:51 AM

Hearty congrats on your POTD and finalist, Deb, for this awesome and gorgeous digital artwork!
-Debby

7/8/2005 5:07:56 AM

Gorgeous!!Congrats, on POTD!!

7/8/2005 5:09:00 AM

Fantastic image Deborah!!!
Congratulations on your POTD!!!

7/8/2005 5:12:12 AM

Congratulations on this fantastic POTD, Doborah!!!:)

7/8/2005 5:21:00 AM

Big congrats Deb on your POTD!!

7/8/2005 5:21:07 AM

Absolutely gorgeous and your photoshop work is outstanding. Congrats on POTD.

7/8/2005 5:31:26 AM

Congratulations on your POTD! This is a wonderful image and I am glad there's a safe category for such art. Mary

7/8/2005 5:47:48 AM

congrats on potd! love it!

7/8/2005 5:53:16 AM

First let me congratulate you on potd. This is one of the most beautiful photos I have seen. WOW!!! is all I can say

7/8/2005 6:21:25 AM

Congrats on your POTD!!!

7/8/2005 6:22:49 AM

CONGRATULATIONS on this OUTSTANDING POTD win, Deborah!!

7/8/2005 6:24:55 AM

Many congrats, Deborah on this beautiful POTD! Well deserved!!

da

7/8/2005 6:27:22 AM

Wow. I love this. If you don't already you should sell your prints. I can see this on the wall. It is beautiful. I would love to make a similiar picture with a person.

7/8/2005 6:28:16 AM

Ditto!

7/8/2005 6:31:35 AM

Congratulations on your very creative and stunning image for todays POTD Deborah!!

7/8/2005 6:37:07 AM

Look at you with a POTD!!!! Way to go!!!!

7/8/2005 6:42:46 AM

I'm so happy this mde POTD after what I have read here! You go girl your awesome! Congratulations!

7/8/2005 7:05:45 AM

Congratulations on the POTD. This is beautiful, I am sure we'll see it again soon!

7/8/2005 7:48:45 AM

Deborah, this may be the most striking photograph I have ever seen. Well into the National Geographic level. Your artistry is amazing. With that said, I would like to add to all the comments about digital darkroom work. I continue to maintain that it makes no difference how many stops along the way a photo has to go to get to its final showing, if it's a work of art, that's just what it is. I admire your skills behind the camera and in front of the PC monitor. It makes no difference, it is your creation. I'm from the old darkroom days and believe me I used every trick available to add quality right there in the dark. We heated up the developer for certain effects, overdevelped, underdevelped, dodged, burned, reticulated, and did everything else that the day's technology provided. Yes it is nice that you mentioned the PS assistance, but in my opinion, no need. It is a work of art, no matter where you did the work. I always say, the film guys do the same thing in the dark that we do in the light. Great, great job, Deborah.

Gary Riedel

7/8/2005 8:14:20 AM

Thank you so much! What a nice surprise! I'm so glad you enjoyed this as much as I did creating it! :o) I appreciate each of your thoughtful comments and nice emails - you all are the best!!!
Thank you Gary - that's quite a complement! Thank you for your comments on digital and traditional art!

7/8/2005 8:20:07 AM

This is so gorgeous, Deborah! However it was captured and worked on, it is an amazing image. Congratulations, on your POTD!

7/8/2005 8:49:00 AM

Hi Deborah~a big congratulations to you! What an image!! We love your works of art, so have fun with your POTD! :0)

7/8/2005 10:01:18 AM

wow great potd...congrats!

7/8/2005 11:25:07 AM

7/8/2005 11:31:58 AM

i really really like this picture. can you tell me everything about it? how did you take it, your aperture speed, film speed, the effects you used, what tme of day it was, where it was, everything. I hope that isn't asking to much.

7/8/2005 11:34:25 AM

wow great work great art Deborah!!! love all about it !!!Congratulations, on your POTD!

7/8/2005 12:56:44 PM

This is really awesome, Deborah...great POTD, congratulations! Do you mind sharing with me how you made this photo? Is this a sandwich photo? Thanks...

7/8/2005 1:11:52 PM

Thank you for your comments! This is a digital composition in Photoshop using elements of different photographs to create a new image. In a nutshell, the sun was photographed at sunrise, exposing for the sun which left the background black. The egret silhouettes were shot on a separate morning, and repositioned in front of the sun. The "water" is just one of many flood filter effects (available from Flaming Pear.) Experiment, have fun! ~ Deb

7/8/2005 1:25:44 PM

Many many many congratulations, this imagine deserved much more that a finalist!! At least today you had your satisfaction!!!

7/8/2005 1:26:35 PM

After all these well deserved comments, there is little left for me to say, isn't there Deborah?! Apart from that I agree with them, and that you already know that I love your work!
Congratulations on your POTD!!!

7/8/2005 1:30:03 PM

Just Stunning! Congratulations

7/8/2005 5:04:56 PM

Thank you Mata, Jenny and Stephen - I appreciate you stopping to comment!

7/8/2005 6:46:39 PM

Amazing, Deborah! This is just incredible :)

7/8/2005 7:47:31 PM

Love your work on this image!

7/8/2005 9:07:41 PM

I don't know which to congratulate you on first, the ABSOLUTE beauty of the picture and your work in PS, or POTD!!! Oh, well--decisions, decisions!! LOL!! BRAVO, Deb, it's breathtaking.....

7/8/2005 9:20:57 PM

An absolute beautiful piece of 'digital artwork' !!! I look forward to the next one.

7/9/2005 12:51:08 PM

Thank you so much, your comments mean a lot to me and are very appreciated!!

7/9/2005 1:58:26 PM

Deborah

Absolutely stunning.

Congratulations on your POTD.

Kerby

7/9/2005 5:19:24 PM

Congratulations on POTD, Deborah!!
Well deserved!!!!

7/9/2005 10:09:23 PM

One more Congratulations on your SUPER shot Deborah

7/10/2005 8:18:03 AM

Congratulations Deborah!!! A fantastic work of art and very deserving of POTD!

7/10/2005 3:35:59 PM

It doesn't get any better than this. What a shot!!

7/10/2005 3:50:37 PM

Congratulations on your POTD Deborah!!!

7/11/2005 7:10:20 PM

Wow! Glad I took the time to get caught up on my pics of the day emails.

Yes, yes ... the digital darkroom and film darkroom yadda yadda will go on forever ... I'm betting there were critics who even questioned the manipulations of film in the darkroom.

But as I see it ... To keep from being just another bloke using a camera as a copy machine, the photographer must become an artist ... able to manipulate every artistic tool that achieves THEIR UNIQUE ART ... moreover, the artist must understand art/composition concepts.

The thing that blows me away is when the artist can look at a collection of their photographs and create an even more breath-taking image.

WOW DEBORAH! DO IT AGAIN!

Have fun,
pam

7/16/2005 12:23:39 PM

Thanks so much for your comments! I appreciate your kind congrats and thoughtful words! ~ Deb :o)

7/16/2005 9:05:51 PM

Wow....this is an amazing work, you are very talented, Deborah! Congratulations!!

8/22/2005 5:07:14 PM

Beautiful!

7/28/2008 8:26:48 PM