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Tuesday, March 23, 2021

A Project with Spring Overtones

It's technically spring now even though it's been snowing almost every night here. In the spirit of spring, this is a post about a bird that I saw last spring, a Western Tanager. These birds love pine trees, and it's really hard to get a good photo of them that isn't filled with dark twigs and other stuff. In this case, he flitted out of the pine canopy briefly, and I snapped a photo.


I used this photo in a course about using Photoshop for art work. The idea is that you use a photo that you took, and you use tools within Photoshop to give your subject a different background. It is not meant to trick people into thinking that your new background is real. Rather, it lets you use art to highlight your subject.

In this case, I wanted to make a background for the Tanager that reflected the deep green and textured background that the boughs of a pine tree create. I also wanted to use colors that complement the Tanager's colors. This is what I came up with.


I have no idea if it is "good" but I do know that I loved the process of creating it. I was totally engrossed in trying to use certain colors to complement the Tanager. It was such a relaxing project.

It will still be a couple of months before I see a Tanager this year but this one has made me smile through the recent snowstorms!

16 comments:

  1. we love it an it shows this fabulous colors !!!

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  2. What a beautiful little bird against either background!

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  3. Hari Om
    The bird is the star no matter what - and that was the aim, heh na? I love to mess around with image modification - it is nearly as satisfying as mucking around with a whole box of paints! YAM xx

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  4. Both pictures are great and you did a great job of removing that branch from his tail, too.

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  5. I used to use photoshop only, but picmonkey does the same things and is faster for me. I agree, it is so relaxing for me, it is part of my pandemic entertainment program... beautiful bird, love those colors

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  6. KB it surpassed GOOD leaps and bounds all the way up the scale to 1,000% beautiful
    I've never seen any Tanger but if I did I'd surely think it was someone's exotic pet bird that had flown the coop.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  7. Beautiful bird and a beautiful edit. Wow.

    Have a fabulous day. Scritches to the pups. ♥

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  8. Beautiful bird and beautiful artwork too! Take care, stay well.

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  9. Oh, that is so cool! When Ma tries that, it looks like a Picasso! BOL!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  10. The tanager is beautiful, and you made it even more special with your creation. You are so talented in so many ways.

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  11. I love both pictures! Your art stands on its own.

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  12. You did such a wonderful job, both with capturing the photo to start with and then making it into beautiful art! What a pretty bird that is!

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