Sunbathing

[sue]

http://suecharlton.co.uk/photoblog/images/20070513161937_meer.jpg
This was taken at Knowsley on our recent trip there. It was nice to see them in different positions and relaxing slightly. I have others of these animals up close and personal. I have found sharpening of this image difficult without sharpening the stones they are sat on. Any advice about this welcomed, along with comments generally.
Thank you for looking.

More... (http://suecharlton.co.uk/photoblog/index.php?showimage=90)

[sue]

these are some of the others I took that day.

http://www.suecharlton.co.uk/images/meekatsat.jpg

http://www.suecharlton.co.uk/images/merrkatbod.jpg

http://www.suecharlton.co.uk/images/meerkatface.jpg

[sue]

Can no one even say anything bad about these photos? :) nevermind then I guess that is one thing then :)

[Dark Star]

Aw sorry Sue - I missed these. Cute critters I must say - 2 and 3 look fine to me and sharp enough on this monitor. Although the eyes on number 2 look a little oof (might be my eyes though!)

1 and 4 I have a problem with - in 1 the standing meerkat is a bit of a distraction from a great capture (I've never seen these things lie down) and in number 4 the focus is on his/her ear and just looks a bit wrong.

[h.r.ford]

I'm supposed to be working but I'll give you an indepth comment instead!

1- If all 3 were in focus (the front one is blurry) and you'd got all of the front one this would be a real corker... Are you sure the one guy didn't fat though?

2- Nice colours could probably use a little more sharpen just on the eyes and I'd take a bit off the top of the pic but that's just me.

3- nice and sharp great texture but I'm not sure the composition works...

4- what great fun. Were they really that close?

[sue]

number 4 isnt focused right as i was just holding my camera there trying not to get my fingers bitten and take the picture at the same time while these things were getting closer and closer to my fingers with just my kit lens on.

Renee I arent sure on how to just sharpen part of the image, anyone able to help??

As for the first, there were three of them all laid down at one point, i couldnt get much closer to get them without the front one in as other people were in the way and there wasnt much room to get passed one another between the fence for other visitors and where the little fence was between us and the meerkats. I dont think I would be able to crop him out as he is in the wrong place. I liked it as I had never seen them laid like this and wasnt sure if it worked hence why I posted it for comment.

[namllihs]

#1 is the first time I've seen these animals in anything other than the standard Meerkat pose.
#2 is O/K bur the subject is a little centrally placed (no biggy)
#3 for me is the best of the set close up and sharp.
#4 getting too close for comfort, but if the eye had been in focus it would be a belter.
Still can't get over those 2 in #1:lol: lazy gets.

[sue]

Thanks for the comments everyone :)

[moomike]

I love the last one Sue, I feel that the out of focus face makes the viewer feel that they were that bit closer to wildlife!

To selectively sharpen:
1. Duplicate the final image onto a separate layer.
2. Sharpen the whole layer as you normally would.
3. Add a layer mask (symbol is at the bottom of the layers palette - just hover over the icons until it tells you what each one is if you're not sure) & fill the layer mask that appears next to your layer icon in the layers palette with black (make sure that you fill the layer mask instead of the layer itself)
4. Use a white brush to paint over the black layer mask where you want the sharpened layer to show through & the layer will begin to show through - don't forget to change flow &/or opacity to get the best results.

That is the way that I prefer to mask as everything is in total control from the start but there are loads of different ways for different situations - look through the help files or google for answers to find one that'll suit you best.
I have a tutorial somewhere that I did for Ven a while back, I'll see if I can dig it out :thumbs: