I'm after some different perspectives/thoughts on how to bring out subtle texture in feathers when lighting isn't at the right angle (e.g. side on) to create micro shadows.

 

Maybe it's nearly impossible.

 

For example, I was fortunate to get this photo published recently however always wanted to get some more texture to the feathers around the white chest area.

 

http://1x.com/photo/850690/all:user:519850.

 

I have played with multiple approaches however would really appreciate to hear some peoples tricks to do this.

 

Kind regards,

 

Doug

I know you use lightroom for editing images, but do you also have photoshop? Maybe you can try to add a new layer, fill it with 50% grey and change the blendingmode to Overlay. Then you zoom in on the feathers and paint with a soft black brush with a very low opacity, like 3 or 4% over the shadows. After that you paint with a soft white brush with the same opacity over the lights. If you don't like the effect you can remove the layer and nothing happend to your image.

 

If you don't have photoshop you can try painting with the ajustmentbrush in lightroom, first with shadows, and after that add a new brush and use highlights this time, but before you do that it's better to create a virtual copy of the edited image first so you don't have to paint on the original edited version.

 

But I prefer the 50% grey layer in photoshop.

 

Best wishes Leonie

I used to use Tonal Contrast in Nik Color Efex Pro. Light feathers used a bit of Highlight contrast, applied as a brush.

 

I need to re-upload the plugin, it stopped working when Google bought it :-(

 

BTW, it works also as a plugin for Lightroom. Not sure about the Brush option there, since it does not have layers.

 

I have not died this, but maybe if you use the adjustment brush in LR, with Clarity as a selection, maybe 30% strength, it could works, since it is a mid tone contrast.

 

Best,

Fabs

Forum Moderator

Thanks very much Leonie and Fabs.

I have PS (well my partner does as she is a conservation focused graphic designer), so I'll give that a shot (well I'll ask her to show me how:)) and I'll also try Fabs your suggestion in LR.

Thanks very much to both of you - greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Doug