Which Do You Like Better?

[dwrose]

I shot this butterfly, but it flew off before I could get any better shots. So, I tweaked it a little to get it to stand out better. Which one do you like better and does it work for you?

[Killeenguy]

I like the crispness of #2 but i like how the subject stands out in #1 so i'm torn! :( if i had to make up my mind i'd go with #1 but with some P.S. tricks done to make the butterfly stand out.

[Duffy Pratt]

For me, the green desaturation on Number 1 has gone overboard. There are other tricks that might get the effect you want. So I like number 2 better, if the choice is between these two. I think you could probably do better with a new layer, in luminoscity mode, on which you could try some channel blends and a curve on the green channel to boost the contrast between the leaves and the yellow of the butterfly.

Also, it looks to me like you could probably darken up the black outline of the wings a wee bit without plugging all the detail there. It might help to see the original.

Duffy

[Spec A!]

Another thought is taking the green completely out, giving it that Marshall colored B&W print feel(especially if you throw the tint off a tiny bit on the rest of the color). I love seeing the butterfly standing out in the first pic, but agree with everyone else- something doesn't feel right and maybe it's because there's still green left in the leaves.

Possible option of a slight blur to everything else that's sharp but the butterfly?

[AggieDad]

I like both but prefer #1. I actually like the sage colored leaves of the plant but think Anthony has a great suggestion. IMHO

[petert]

Originally Posted by Killeenguy

I like the crispness of #2 but i like how the subject stands out in #1 so i'm torn! :( if i had to make up my mind i'd go with #1 but with some P.S. tricks done to make the butterfly stand out.

I agree here so "ditto" ...the other thing to consider is that I really love the saturated Velvia look; it works well with nature shots (IMO)

[JohnT]

How about #1 with a b&w background, leaving only the butterfly in color? Maybe the flower it's on could remain in color as well.

[MarekWK]

#2 with tighter crop and butterfly off-center.

[dwrose]

Here's one with the B&W background and I will work on the others. Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm new to this and I only have Elements 4.0 to work with.

[Spec A!]

To me, that's a much neater look. :)
The only thing I might change is the luminosity of the leaves- I feel like they need to be darker. But that not withstanding, it looks good!

[MRCPix]

I need to learn how to do that

[dwrose]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

I need to learn how to do that

Here's a tutorial if you have Photoshop: http://www.lonestardigital.com/history_brush.htm

In Elements, you use the "color replacement brush."

[dwrose]

Originally Posted by Spec A!

To me, that's a much neater look. :)
The only thing I might change is the luminosity of the leaves- I feel like they need to be darker. But that not withstanding, it looks good!

Is this any better? I haven't found much help in the help file on luminosity.

[Spec A!]

Yeah that looks a bit better to me. The contrast in B&W feels like it matches the color better. However, how do you feel about it? Which do you like the best? :)

[acluckhardt]

Personally, I like the last one.. the leaves show improved texture but still don't draw away from the subject... -just my opinion though...