What I did to this image is about as simple as masking can get.
1) open duplicate layer
2) from "filter" apply gaussian blur to the new layer until the
background looks pleasing to you. (entire image will be blurred)
3) click the mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel
(rectangle with circle inside). A mask will be added (and selected)
4) select black paint at far left tools area. The little arrow switches
between black and white. Click it if the black square is not at
upper left (selected)
5) Select the paint bucket tool (dripping bucket) and with mouse button
down drag over to the image and release it. This applies black paint
to the entire mask making it transparent and revealing the original
unblurred image underneath.
6) Click the paint color again so white is selected rather than black.
7) Select the paint brush tool at far left. Use the bracket [ ] keys
to increase or decrease the diameter of the brush. A brush about the
diameter of the bird's head might be about right.
8) Carefully paint over the background of the image with the white paint
which will reveal the portions of the blurred image that you paint.
If you use a low opacity and flow rate (controls at top) you can
approach the final result slowly and also vary the rate between top
and bottom. I applied more at the top of the image than the bottom.
9) When done to your satisfaction use the layers menu pulldown (upper
right of layers menu) and select "flatten image" to merge the layers
into a single image.
10) Save it. You're done.
ps: A modest opacity and flow rate (like 25%) means you can build up
the changes slowly. And you don't need to be particularly careful
about minor excursions into the areas you don't want blurred. If
you do make a mistake it can be undone with the "undo" in edit or
you can change the mask painting color to the opposite and undo or
redo to your hearts content.
Chuck Norcutt
On 4/22/2013 7:28 PM, Jim Nichols wrote:
> Thanks, Chuck. I considered those things, but I have not attempted to use
> masks at this point, and don't wish to spend the time and effort required to
> get proficient with those tools. I will take another look at it, and see if
> I can come up with a better image.
>
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chuck Norcutt" <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 6:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [OM] IMG: Mockingbird on Insect Patrol
>
>
>> Yes, you've caught the bird and the foreground very nicely but that
>> combo has some quircky bokeh. I experimented with reducing the
>> brightness and increasing the contrast slightly and then put a bit of
>> gaussian blur into the background. I think it looks better. You can
>> likely do the same in a few minutes.
>>
>> Chuck Norcutt
>>
>>
>> On 4/22/2013 6:04 PM, Jim Nichols wrote:
>>> Thanks, Chris. I wasn't happy with the background, but it did show his
>>> alert posture, which is hard to catch in a shot.
>>>
>>> Jim Nichols
>>> Tullahoma, TN USA
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Chris Barker" <ftog@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 4:25 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [OM] IMG: Mockingbird on Insect Patrol
>>>
>>>
>>>> That's a cool bird, Jim. I don't believe that I knew before what one
>>>> looked like.
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>>>
>>>> On 22 Apr 2013, at 20:06, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Mockingbirds don't stay in one spot for very long, so, when I saw this
>>>>> male searching for insects, I snapped three shots. This one claims
>>>>> title
>>>>> to our back yard, and is always alert for intruders, even while he
>>>>> searches for an insect snack.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Mocking+Bird+BW.jpg.html
>>>>
>>>> --
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>> --
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
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>>
>>
>
>
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