|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Thanks Larry, good points. Reflections are darker, something it's easy enough to get "wrong" in photos with the amount of adjusting we can do these days. I remember having to think about that when using split ND filters and not get too carried away. |
Feb 23rd |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Thanks Michael. I think I only cropped it because the water gets brighter at the bottom and I thought it detracted a bit. But I'll give it another go. |
Feb 23rd |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
David, thanks for your suggestions. Yes a bit more on the bottom so that the plant reflection isn't clipped would be good. |
Feb 23rd |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Hi Bud, thank you- actually I do teach photgraphy classes :) Through an adult leisure learning program locally. Not nature specific though. |
Feb 23rd |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
I just used a rotation tool, which will also crop. You might add some canvas at the top and using a content aware fill before rotating it. It will help avoid clipping the tips of the yucca. |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
You sure have an eye for "abstract" types of landscapes like this, or anyway ones that feature patterns and textures. I really like your crop- there's a nice sense of flow along the ridge and the sky counter-balances the mountains well.
Another little nit to clean up is a dust spot in the lower left part of the cloud.
Beautiful image. |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Bud, it's always fun to come across something new and different in a location, especially when you have a chance to get a nice photo. The setting is attractive, even that big limb looks nice. And I like that it has one of those huge feet tucked up in to the breast.
Have you played with warming up the white balance on this? It seems quite cold, and I'm seeing some odd colors in that tree branch (but maybe it's my eyes..) |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Hi Butch, welcome to the group!
I can see why this was a favorite, the simplicity and color are lovely. A case study in how to use sidelight effectively.
I do like Larry's suggestion to compose without the sky, but that would be a very different image without the color that's there. So, I tried rotating the image so the horizon line goes up to the right-diagonals going that direction are generally more appealing. Just as an alternative.
|
Feb 8th |
 |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
I'd heard the Wood Storks were taking over but didn't realize just how mean they could be. Makes Snowies seem downright friendly.
The beautiful early light immediately caught my attention, but yes the running pose of the Heron really makes the shot. No doubt at all about the story here! First class image, as always. |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
What a great story this is, with the bird in the snowstorm. You had a pretty fast shutter speed to turn those flakes in to dots, so probably the f/stop was wide open. Your re-worked image looks great, I think you're right about the spots being clone artifacts.
The original does have some humor to it- the bird is looking in the opposite direction that the arrow is pointing.
As for processing tools, I'm using Capture One along with a VERY old version of PS. Never touched Lightroom. It is a very good editor and more comparable to LR than PS in terms of capability, particularly in terms of merging bits of 2 different images (it can't).
Another one that I've had recommended to me is DXO Pure Raw. I haven't played with it but may do that this year. Both of these offer free trials. |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
I'm impressed at how much detail you were able to pull out given the huge crop. Nice job with the bird itself. I'm going to guess the one eye that's closed (?) is your nit.
I'm not much for sky replacements although it is pretty. If this were mine, I'd have cropped it vertical with more tree letting the bird be a bit smaller- more of an environmental shot. But I like small-in-frame birds.
And, I know what you mean about photographing on a birding tour :)
|
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Thanks Larry, drama is what I was going for! |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Showy Egrets, I love it!!! |
Feb 8th |
| 67 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Hi Butch,
Well the title is reference to the demeanor / pose of the bird, it's all ruffled up as it's displaying at another bird. All those plumes wouldn't be as visible otherwise.
Thank you for the suggestions on the edits. With backlight I don't necessarily try to bring out a lot of detail, but I do like it lightened up a bit. I wouldn't go that far on the yellow facial skin though, it isn't naturally that bright at this time of year. |
Feb 8th |
6 comments - 8 replies for Group 67
|
| 72 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Wow Adrian, I'm so impressed with this. I've tried to capture flying fish before with zero luck. What a beautiful shot. |
Feb 8th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 72
|
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
It's nice to see this one in a natural looking environment- as opposed to the green of a golf course lawn :) I like the contrast of the golden grasses and the blue water, I think it makes a nice setting. Tom's crop is nice for a portrait, but I like the space you've left as an "environmental" portrait. The crop changes the story of the image. |
Feb 23rd |
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
I really like the pose you captured. The upstretched wings are dynamic, and the angle it's coming at you is nice. The processing, darkening the background, is effective. I agree with Adrian's suggestion for a square crop with more room to fly in to. That would still emphasize the upstretched wings, imo. |
Feb 23rd |
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Reply |
Thanks Bruce. The term Butter Butt is used enough here that it is the first name I think of for them now. Yes they are quick, but one nice thing about when they forage in this plant is they stay in one spot for a moment or 2. I popped off almost 100 shots of this fellow, to give you an idea how cooperative he was. |
Feb 8th |
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Nice timing to capture the tern coming up with its fish, and the wings and tail completely open. I like what you've done to bring back some color in the image.
Compositionally, the bird is too centered. I see there is a little bit of water drops trailing behind, but for my eye it isn't interesting enough to need so much space. My suggestion is to crop the left, about half of the space. This will still leave the water trail but put the bird on the left side with room to fly in to.
|
Feb 8th |
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Wow this looks like a painting, and I mean that in the most positive way! The arrangement of the clusters of berries couldn't be better if you'd placed them. And of course getting one in the bird's bill is "the" shot. This would be one to print, for sure. |
Feb 8th |
| 91 |
Feb 25 |
Comment |
Sounds like a great trip!
These little cardinals are so cheery. And you really caught a fabulous pose with it lifting off the branch, and sharp at that. Usually when I get this type of shot it's not close to sharp.
I also really like your alternate with the bird perched in the vegetation.
I also can't wait to see more from your trip.
|
Feb 8th |
5 comments - 1 reply for Group 91
|
12 comments - 9 replies Total
|
