Bird on a Wire

I was lacking inspiration today, so the family took a walk around the neighborhood to try to shoot some flowers. I didn’t really like any of them and had snapped this photo of the bird just in case, so I figured that this would be a good opportunity to play around with adding some texture. I’m pretty happy with how this turned out for my first attempt. What do you think I could do better?

[Pepita Liang]

A very nice abstract piece! I luv how u keep experimenting with different styles and processing. It turns out great!!!

[Kerri]

How cool is that!! Great idea

[Mcdougall]

Love the texture. You made power lines look good!

[jsl0082]

I love the power lines! It reminds me of geometry proofs. Side angle side. Love it!

[Lynn Snyder Vasquez]

Great pictture Erin. Of course, I love the power lines.

[Lynn Snyder Vasquez]

I hink we can use this photo in our Electric Safety School program.

[Pyrrhula]

Great pic for a nex theme of the week : Energy or Power. or just lines So much in it

[Juliette Packham]

love this shot - like the muted greys too - great job

[Lee Nodes]

Very cool! Allmof our cables are underground...I would love to get a shot like this.

[e.gad]

@pepitaliang Thank you. I feel like this project is giving me the inspiration to actually try new things. Sometimes they work...sometimes not.

[e.gad]

@kerristephens @mcdougall @lynnie @pyrrhula @sparkle @lnodes Thank you. I appreciate all of the support. :)

[e.gad]

@jsl0082 You are kind of a dork, and I mean that in a loving, enginerd kind of way. :P

[hellcat]

Very cool lines! I like the added texture. What I've been learning about it is sometimes you'll want to go back and adjust the contrast and color curves or balances once you're done... but I'm not sure that that was necessary here. This feels sort of vintage.

[e.gad]

@hellcat Thanks for the tip. I'm still new to all the processing so any and all suggestions are appreciated. What does adjusting the contrast and color curves or balances do?

[hellcat]

It would adjust how vivid the image is before the layer of texture is applied (or sometimes after). I've noticed that sometimes the texture and blending of the texture dulls the original image in sharpness or color. What program are you using? I'm just learning myself, but if I can help, let me know.

[e.gad]

@hellcat That makes a lot of sense. I was actually having that issue with a photo I was trying to edit tonight. It was brilliant green flowers and when I applied the texture it just looked all drab and muted. I am using PS Elements 6, and would love suggestions. Thanks!

[hellcat]

Ok, I'm familiar with 7 and 9 of that program. That'll help if I learn something new and I'll be able to share it with you. :) I think making a copy of the image underneath the texture that you can use as an adjustment layer to experiment with hue/saturation, etc. might help. Also if you can use or make the texture black and white, that sometimes helps keep it from distorting the image. Sometimes is the key word there unfortunately.

[The Blue Gnu]

Love the bird...........adds such a cute detail to the graphic cold lines. Nice shot.

[e.gad]

@thebluegnu Thanks. I liked the little guy too!!

[e.gad]

@hellcat Just curious, do you think that there are enhancements in Elements 9 that would make it worth buying? Thanks again for all of the advice. I really appreciate your feedback.