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Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Ja-9


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2012-01 (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2012 - Challenges
Camera: Nikon D80
Lens: Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
Location: Sarasota, FL
Date: Jan 30, 2012
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 1000
Shutter: 1/13 sec.
Date Uploaded: Jan 30, 2012

 Convert from RAW
Crop
Curves/Levels/Brightness
Adjust Sharpness
Topaz InFocus
Layer Mask to separate gator's eyes/features
Gaussian Blur
Neat Image
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Resized
USM
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Topaz DeNoise
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Saved for WEB

This is an Alligator that was about 80' away from me. I had climbed down on the bank of the Myakka River in order to get at the same level (eye) as the gator.

I used my flash to get the red reflection in the eye and water. Yes, I did smooth out the water mostly because of the bridge reflection in the water...but I will say that it was super still.

@ giantmike you had asked "Intriguing image. I assume this is an alligator/crocodile with different coloring?" because this was taken at late dusk/night the gator is reflecting the colors of the night...dark blue - other than curves/levels I didn't do anything to the color in this picture.

I'm glad that this was so well received....

Statistics
Place: 36 out of 287
Avg (all users): 6.3856
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.3945
Avg (non-participants): 6.3636
Views since voting: 1550
Views during voting: 269
Votes: 153
Comments: 25
Favorites: 6 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/26/2012 07:17:27 PM
Fabulous image. Congrats on the bling and ching!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2012 12:43:04 PM
Truly stunning image. Will favorite
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2012 01:29:08 PM
How wonderfully creepy! Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 04:25:51 PM
Such an interesting photo! Great job on your success! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 08:47:08 AM
Janine, this is fabulous. I have seen many gators, but never one from this perspective! Congratulations on your achievement! I am sure there are mnay more to come!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/21/2012 11:20:41 PM
Wow, what a great image of this medium sized gator critter!
Big congrats on your ribbon in the Orange (County) Audubon Society photo contest too.
You really nailed this shot.
It's like the crisp and sharp evil twin to my "Swamp Evil" blur image. Interestingly, we were doing a DPC GTG in Ft Myers when I shot it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/21/2012 09:54:02 PM
You must be flying high right now, Janine. Congraulations on your recognition for this exceptional image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/11/2012 10:37:06 PM
I didn't get a chance to vote in this challenge but this is truly awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2012 06:36:58 PM
Wicked cool! Great score and Fabulous shot:))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2012 11:08:52 AM
Sweet deal!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2012 09:55:08 AM
Good job on the eyeball :). Amazing shot, one of my 10s.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2012 03:04:10 AM
I meant to comment before it finished, but this was hands down my favorite of the free study.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2012 01:30:43 AM
Wd on your finish. Great work. That D80's CCD is stunning even at ISO 1000! Remarkable PP.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/06/2012 06:28:21 PM
I love this because it can be the eyes of an alligator but also an abstract piece hanging out in the air - and to me the color just adds to it immensly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2012 06:03:03 PM
i love it! you rock, best i've seen in a long time
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2012 05:25:56 PM
Great PP! Love the slit of red in the eye.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2012 12:03:26 PM
Intriguing image. I assume this is an alligator/crocodile with different coloring?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2012 10:33:57 AM
Very cool. Alien vs Predigator. Love the PP and the smooth dead space around the 'gator/croc, possibly masked and smoothed? The red pupil slit is most unusual and creepy. Top Marks (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2012 08:24:42 PM
Nice red glow on that eyeball.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2012 09:37:49 PM
COOOOL!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2012 05:36:35 PM
I think this is pretty damn cool :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2012 08:46:49 AM
love the glossyness and stillness of such a violent potential waiting below the water my favourite so far, love the red eye. have a 9 :) bumped up to 10 and a favourite
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2012 12:26:15 PM
I give you a lot of credit for getting so close to that guy, me, not so brave. The result was worth the risk, this is wonderful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2012 12:09:06 PM
Wow that's eerie. Very unique shot, brilliant editing too. The more you look at this the more it goes from amorphous blob to yikes I'm about to lose my face!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2012 07:46:36 AM
Took me a moment to figure this out, but when I did, it was like a pleasant slap to the face. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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