We had a brief interlude between storms yesterday so I took my camera out to a spot we had seen a pair of eagles a couple of days before...in the rain and without my camera. There was only the one to shoot and when he flew, he flew directly behind masses of branches so I couldn't get him in flight. I was pretty pleased with the detail I captured. I often struggle with overexposing the white and the detail is sharp and clear here. Hooray. Such majestic birds.
Thanks for your visits, comments, suggestions, favs
Jane, nicely captured, and yes, very majestic birds!
Something for you to try - I can see a slight layer cutout on the limb and eagle. So if you are using Photoshop at the very bottom of the layers option from the main menu you'll notice a "matting" selection for the extracted object layer. Use Defringe to cut 1 or 2 more pixels from around your layer cut-out. If that doesn't remove all of the outline, try the remove white or black matte option. If you're already doing these things let me know since there are more tricks in addition to these options.
@mikegifford I did all those tricks and it didn't make much or any difference. So I took a low opacity brush and painted some of the new background into the areas and that helped but I'd also love any other suggestions. I never knew re the matting...what is it intended for?
@mikegifford It just occurred to me that I don't have an object cut out layer. I used select and mask and so I had a mask. Would that be why it didn't work?
@jgpittenger A mask essentially acts like painter's tape, so yes, if you mask out a background and you're left with an object that has been extracted you have a layer with the object of interest. You need to "apply the mask" to have a cut-out. Once you have a cut-out of the object you can apply the matte adjustments I mentioned and that may remove the slight white or black around the object. Its a bit tricky but works very well.
This is quite an amazing closeup with great details. I read yours and Mike's @mikegifford exchange and realize more and more how much PS can do, and how little I know of it!
@mikegifford@jgpittenger I have not used matting before either, so thanks for the tip Mike! I tend to use masks & find the select & mask option can do a pretty good job, or change brush settings & soften / harden mask edges There are occasions when I will definitely use your approach though, thanks!
@ltodd@jgpittenger Lyn, I'll usually do what you're saying as well, but I've found there are times when you "apply" the mask there is a residual "rim" of pixels around the extortion. This is when matting comes in handy. Another trick to try is once you have the object extracted and you can't get it to trim up just like you want, reselect the extraction (CMD click on Mac) and then go to the Select Menu > Modify > Contract and shrink your selection by 1-2 pixels. Then use another mask and apply it. This trims just 1-2 pixels from around your extraction for sure. Just another trick.
Something for you to try - I can see a slight layer cutout on the limb and eagle. So if you are using Photoshop at the very bottom of the layers option from the main menu you'll notice a "matting" selection for the extracted object layer. Use Defringe to cut 1 or 2 more pixels from around your layer cut-out. If that doesn't remove all of the outline, try the remove white or black matte option. If you're already doing these things let me know since there are more tricks in addition to these options.