Inspiring Photo: Sunset Serenade #890209

Nobu Nagase May 10, 2005

Deborah, you continue to come up with the most beautiful and most gorgeous water bird images!!! ... Wow, fantastic silhouette, fantastic colors, and another great composition... #247445

S J May 10, 2005

Love your work on this image, Deborah!! Beautiful effects and presentation!! Love it!! #1338671

Nemil B. Chabebe May 10, 2005

WOW, WOW, WOW, so beautifully done, gorgeous, nice colors. How did you do it? #1338680

Deborah Sandidge May 10, 2005

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! #1338707

Kerby Pfrangle May 10, 2005

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 #1338722

Kara L. Hendricks May 10, 2005

I think we have another winner here... Good luck with this Deborah.. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!! #1338758

Donna La Mattino Pagakis May 10, 2005

This is abolutely gorgeous. I love your creativity!!!! #1338770

Cathy Stancil May 10, 2005

Incredibly beautiful deborah !! #1338773

Kathleen K. Parker May 10, 2005

Lovely!!
Kathleen #1338855

Stanley J. Contrades May 11, 2005

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 #1339010

Deborah Sandidge May 11, 2005

Thank you very much, Kerby, Kara, Donna, Cathy, Kathleen and Stan - I appreciate your thoughtful words and so pleased you liked this! #1341128

Connie J. Bagot May 11, 2005

Totally awesome---beautiful----I'm almost speechless! #1341191

Jill A. Johnson May 11, 2005

Fantastic Work Deborah!!!

Jill :) #1341206

Deborah Sandidge May 11, 2005

Thank you Connie and Jill for your kind comments! #1341229

Stephen Zacker May 11, 2005

Stunning #1341303

Anita Hogue May 11, 2005

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 #1341352

Goshka G. May 11, 2005

One more WOW from me, Deborah!! #1341408

Deborah Sandidge May 11, 2005

Thank you, Anita and Goshka! #1341742

Christy C. Snodgrass May 11, 2005

Great image! Love your gallery! You definitely have a gift. Never thought of these birds as beautiful, til now. #1341785

Kate Jackson May 12, 2005

Amazing idea and effects Deborah. Beautiful birds. #1343809

Laurence Saliba May 12, 2005

Beautiful effects!!!! Gorgeous image!!! #1344226

Deborah Sandidge May 12, 2005

Thank you Christy, Kate and Laurence, your comments are deeply appreciated! #1345553

Siete Meeter May 14, 2005

Dear Deborah, this is too magnificent!! #1351550

Michael Khoury May 18, 2005

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 #1364116

Deborah Sandidge May 18, 2005

Thanks so much for your kind words, Siete and Michael! #1365111

Kara L. Hendricks May 19, 2005

Congrats on being in the DD Newsletter Deborah!!! #1368300

May 19, 2005

Great photo! How did you go about metering the light? #1369152

Deborah Sandidge May 19, 2005

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! #1369204

David Ziff May 19, 2005

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
#1369495

Dan Holm May 19, 2005

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! ... #1369500

Deborah Sandidge May 19, 2005

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
#1369717

David Ziff May 19, 2005

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 #1369788

Michael McCook May 19, 2005

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". #1369914

Deborah Sandidge May 19, 2005

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 #1370011

May 20, 2005

Bravo! Absolutely breathtaking! #1370568

Scott Pedersen May 20, 2005

Normaly I don't care much for digital manipulatin but this one is very awsome. Good work. #1372198

Deborah Sandidge May 20, 2005

Thank you, Brooke and Scott! Hi Scott, I'm glad this image is one you enjoyed! Thanks bunches! #1372485

Jonna Bergström May 22, 2005

Many congratulations on this fantastic finalist!! #1381738

bob cornelison May 27, 2005

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) #1402589

Odelia June 08, 2005

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. #1445467

Deborah Sandidge June 08, 2005

Hello Jonna, Bob and Odelia - thanks so much for your comments! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts too! #1447242

Michael Khoury June 21, 2005

ya can't beat this Deborah...a BIG Congrats to you!! #1498484

Kate Jackson June 21, 2005

This must be just the start Deborah, Congratulations! #1499386

Nobu Nagase June 21, 2005

More beautiful than ever, Deborah!!!
Congratulations on your finalist!!!
Best wishes for the next round. #1501359

Jim Kinnunen June 21, 2005

A very big congrats, Deborah!!!! #1501752

Jonna Bergström June 21, 2005

Congratulations on this fantastic image, Deborah! #1502254

Jennifer Rennison June 21, 2005

Beautiful, Deborah, another big congrats!! #1502270

Debra Booth June 22, 2005

Fantasttic work, Deborah! Congratulations!! #1503550

S J June 22, 2005

Congratulations on this creative Finalist, Deborah!! #1503721

Don Johnson June 22, 2005

Wonderful image. Great job with PhotoShop #1503756

Dale Ann Cubbage June 22, 2005

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

da #1504649

Deborah Sandidge June 22, 2005

Thank you for your kind congrats and good wishes - very much appreciated! #1504746

Laura Clay-Ballard June 22, 2005

love this ! congrats! #1504847

Judy S. Fung June 22, 2005

Congrats, Deborah! #1506339

Kay E. Mahoney June 22, 2005

Congratulations on a beautiful picture. Good luck in the next round. #1506658

Deborah Sandidge June 22, 2005

Thank you very much Laura, Judy and Kay! #1508188

Karen Engelbreth July 08, 2005

Big congrats on your POTD, Deborah :0))! #1568494

Evy Johansen July 08, 2005

Wowsa... Many congratulations on your very beautiful POTD, Deborah! #1568500

S J July 08, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS on this OUTSTANDING POTD win, Deborah!! #1568507

graham lancaster July 08, 2005

Whoa!! what and outstanding picture, absolutely gorgeous, Well done!! #1568509

Stanley J. Contrades July 08, 2005

Nobody does them like you do, Deborah!! What a fantastic choice for the POTD, and big CONGRATULATIONS to you!!
Much Aloha,
Stan #1568545

Carol Brill July 08, 2005

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!! #1568552

Judy S. Fung July 08, 2005

Congrats on your POTD, Deborah!! #1568663

Gail Vitikacs July 08, 2005

FANTASTIC! Big Congratulations! #1568681

Kathleen Clemons July 08, 2005

Congrats to you, Deborah! #1568754

Donna J. Taff July 08, 2005

Congratulation's on this beautiful picture of the day, Deborah!!! #1568755

William C. Raco July 08, 2005

So unique and colorful!
Congratulations, Deborah!

bill
#1568762

Joy Rector July 08, 2005

congrats on your POTD #1568829

Virginia L. Allison July 08, 2005

Fantastic, so well done. Congrats to you. #1568851

Darren K. Fisher July 08, 2005

Congrats on this beautiful piece of art and your POD. #1568884

Tammy Scott July 08, 2005

Congratulations on this gorgeous POTD, Deborah!!! #1568894

Anita Hogue July 08, 2005

Congratulations on this awesome POTD!!!! #1568979

Scott Pedersen July 08, 2005

This is very nice. I thought you had submitted this a while back. #1568988

Debra Booth July 08, 2005

Congrats on your POTD, Deb!! #1569011

Donna La Mattino Pagakis July 08, 2005

A true work of ART!! Love your creativity Deborah, congrats!!!! #1569016

Terry R. Hatfield July 08, 2005

Hi Deb!Congratulations On Your POTD Very Well Done:-) #1569027

July 08, 2005

Fantastic!! #1569085

Charlene Bayerle July 08, 2005

AWESOME!!!!!! Congratulations Debbie....well deserved!!!!!! #1569184

Deborah Lewinson July 08, 2005

Hearty congrats on your POTD and finalist, Deb, for this awesome and gorgeous digital artwork!
-Debby #1569198

Kathleen R. Struckle July 08, 2005

Gorgeous!!Congrats, on POTD!! #1569201

Adilson F. Ferreira July 08, 2005

Fantastic image Deborah!!!
Congratulations on your POTD!!! #1569220

Jim Kinnunen July 08, 2005

Congratulations on this fantastic POTD, Doborah!!!:) #1569273

Claudia Kuhn July 08, 2005

Big congrats Deb on your POTD!! #1569274

Donna Dunbar July 08, 2005

Absolutely gorgeous and your photoshop work is outstanding. Congrats on POTD. #1569317

Mary N C. Taitt July 08, 2005

Congratulations on your POTD! This is a wonderful image and I am glad there's a safe category for such art. Mary #1569397

Laura Clay-Ballard July 08, 2005

congrats on potd! love it! #1569418

Sandy Stigliano July 08, 2005

First let me congratulate you on potd. This is one of the most beautiful photos I have seen. WOW!!! is all I can say #1569514

Amanda Price July 08, 2005

Congrats on your POTD!!! #1569521

Claudette Foote July 08, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS on this OUTSTANDING POTD win, Deborah!! #1569529

Dale Ann Cubbage July 08, 2005

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

da #1569541

Michelle B. Prince July 08, 2005

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. #1569545

Gail Vitikacs July 08, 2005

Ditto! #1569556

Murry Grigsby July 08, 2005

Congratulations on your very creative and stunning image for todays POTD Deborah!! #1569566

Kara L. Hendricks July 08, 2005

Look at you with a POTD!!!! Way to go!!!! #1569582

Linda D. Lester July 08, 2005

I'm so happy this mde POTD after what I have read here! You go girl your awesome! Congratulations! #1569638

Barbara Helgason July 08, 2005

Congratulations on the POTD. This is beautiful, I am sure we'll see it again soon! #1569788

Gary Riedel July 08, 2005

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 #1569927

Deborah Sandidge July 08, 2005

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! #1569957

Leanne M.E. Boyd July 08, 2005

This is so gorgeous, Deborah! However it was captured and worked on, it is an amazing image. Congratulations, on your POTD! #1570061

Lori Carlson July 08, 2005

Hi Deborah~a big congratulations to you! What an image!! We love your works of art, so have fun with your POTD! :0) #1570314

July 08, 2005

wow great potd...congrats! #1570542

July 08, 2005

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. #1570556

July 08, 2005

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. #1570561

Souha Dooly July 08, 2005

wow great work great art Deborah!!! love all about it !!!Congratulations, on your POTD! #1570833

Luhut Napitupulu July 08, 2005

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... #1570902

Deborah Sandidge July 08, 2005

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 #1570950

Mata Patan July 08, 2005

Many many many congratulations, this imagine deserved much more that a finalist!! At least today you had your satisfaction!!!
#1570955

Jenny Bosmans July 08, 2005

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!!! #1570969

Stephen Zacker July 08, 2005

Just Stunning! Congratulations #1571604

Deborah Sandidge July 08, 2005

Thank you Mata, Jenny and Stephen - I appreciate you stopping to comment! #1571809

Anita Taylor July 08, 2005

Amazing, Deborah! This is just incredible :) #1571976

July 08, 2005

Love your work on this image! #1572126

Wren Hendrick July 08, 2005

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..... #1572159

Doug Taylor July 09, 2005

An absolute beautiful piece of 'digital artwork' !!! I look forward to the next one. #1574196

Deborah Sandidge July 09, 2005

Thank you so much, your comments mean a lot to me and are very appreciated!! #1574304

Kerby Pfrangle July 09, 2005

Deborah

Absolutely stunning.

Congratulations on your POTD.

Kerby #1574768

Diane Addonizio July 09, 2005

Congratulations on POTD, Deborah!!
Well deserved!!!! #1575301

Roger Bernabo July 10, 2005

One more Congratulations on your SUPER shot Deborah #1576671

Leonard Pierce July 10, 2005

Congratulations Deborah!!! A fantastic work of art and very deserving of POTD! #1577838

Keith L. Clayton July 10, 2005

It doesn't get any better than this. What a shot!! #1577860

Colette M. Metcalf July 11, 2005

Congratulations on your POTD Deborah!!! #1582469

Pam M July 16, 2005

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 #1600766

Deborah Sandidge July 16, 2005

Thanks so much for your comments! I appreciate your kind congrats and thoughtful words! ~ Deb :o) #1601576

Luhut Napitupulu August 22, 2005

Wow....this is an amazing work, you are very talented, Deborah! Congratulations!! #1752980

Lisa J. Boulden July 28, 2008

Beautiful! #6242807