Reddish Egret (I Think)

[David N Smith]

Here is another image from Galveston Bay. Slight crop and Detail Extractor at 25%.
Camera: Canon 60D
Lens: Tamron SP70-300 @ 300mm
Exposure: 1/80 @f/7.1
ISO: 100
Rested on beanbag
Does the image appear a bit soft? The eye looks pretty good on my monitor but I am on my laptop.
All critiques are welcome.


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David

[Diane Miller]

I'm not a birder but I think this is a Great Blue Heron in warm light. Others can give you the real story.

The eye does look sharp, especially for such a slow SS. But overall I'm not seeing what I'd say is topnotch image quality, especially what I'd expect for ISO 100. Low light is difficult for getting enough DOF and SS, but otherwise pleasing. There is a crispness that is lacking, possibly due to low contrast. You can bring that up to some extent -- but not by "sharpening."

Looking at the ripples in the water, they provide a "horizon" and you should try to level an image to make them horizontal. Don't know if you have enough here to go back and re-crop with that in mind, but something to consider.

[Doug West]

Diane is right, it's a Great Blue Heron.

Doug

[David N Smith]

Diane & Doug thanks for clarifying the species, I thought it was a Great Blue when I shot but when I looked at it on the laptop I wasn't sure.
I want to thank the people on this forum for allowing me to take my photography to the next level and now I am trying to take it to another level. Images that I used to think were good, I don't even keep anymore and images that I think are good now I know will be critiqued in a way that will help me improve and that is what I like about this forum. I look at others images and think they are really good and they get picked apart so I learn from them also.
I knew this was a little soft when I looked at it and when I saw the shutter speed I knew why. My big problem is that I get caught up in the moment and forget to check my settings but I am getting better.

[keith mitchell]

David agree it does look a little soft but as you rightly say this is a great place to get honest critique and help, it's good to try things and see how they work out.

Keith.:S3:

[Diane Miller]

Training ourselves to do things in the heat of the moment, such as check settings, look at the "horizon", look for distractions, shoot wide enough, or tight enough, be as accurate as possible with focus, etc. etc, is just a matter of getting out and shooting a lot. And then posting, after you have gone as far as you can with self-critique.

Keep at it!

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi David.... Yes, a GBH....the eye looks a bit (not MUCH!) soft, but it may be a bit washed out from the light (coming directly from the left, or maybe upper-left?) Feathers on the body look pretty good, although they are in pretty deep shadow. (quite a differentiation at the "U-shape" change from sun to shadow on the lower part of the bird's neck.) Agree with Diane in her comments. Also,....1/80 would be an incredible feat to get sharpness on a bird.... well, unless it's taxidermy AND you are on a tripod with remote release! Not sure if a different comp would work...more to the right? BUT, beautiful posture and capture... I THINK, if the golden light (which it seems you have) was a bit behind you, this could be fantastic! (All my Heron images are a "mass" of tangled background... would love to see and/or photograph one with just some nice water behind it!) TFS!!!