Standout Tree

So, back to work today. I was rather taken with this tree as I walked to the station in the afternoon, so I took a few shots. A few, because I had lately had the telephoto attached, and the camera had kept itself on f/5.6 even after I put my 20mm back on. The ISO was on 200 as well. It took me a few shots to realise why it was looking scruffy and fuzzy. xP Down to f/1.7 and auto ISO and we were right.

I did one of my usual B&W conversions, and liked it, but decided I wanted the tree to stand out a little more. So I had another go: did the same B&W, then pulled the contrast right down, and masked that onto the house and foliage beside and behind - as much as was reasonably practicable. I then duplicated that masked layer and applied a noise reduction, which further softened that which was not-tree. I think it worked out quite well - and it might even withstand a look in large.

I also did a colour version with the "Paris" preset in Camerabag.

Down in the 'Rif all tomorrow, so I'll have to try to snap those lorikeets again. 8)