1200mm Spoonbill cropping options

[Arthur Morris]

This is a pano crop of an image created on 18 SEPTEMBER 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the Induro (https://www.outdoorphotogear.com/search.php?search_query=indurogrand&rfsn=132487.5cf37.9906) GIT 404l/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro (https://birdsasart-shop.com/levered-clamp-flexshooter-pro/)-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1485539-REG/sony_sel600f40gm_fe_600mm_f_4_gm.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SO6004GM/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSO6004GM), the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222778-REG/sony_sel20tc_fe_2x_teleconverter.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOTC2/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOTC2), and the 61-MP Monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1494679-REG/sony_ilce7rm4_b_alpha_a7r_iv_mirrorless.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOA7R4/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOA7R4) ISO 400. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel and confirmed as perfect in RawDigger: 1/1000 sec. at f/9. AWB at 5:242Pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly.

I have posted two alternative crops of the same image in the panes below. I'd love to know which crop you prefer. Comments on one or all are of course welcome and appreciated.

You can see the original and learn about the challenges involved in creating this image in the Roseate Spoonbill with white ruff cropping options. And advancing through a puddle on your knees and your butt blog post here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2020/09/25/roseate-spoonbill-with-white-ruff-cropping-options-and-advancing-through-a-puddle-on-your-knees-and-your-butt/).

Apologies for being 1/2 degree off sun angle ...

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Next is a somewhat boxy crop.

[Arthur Morris]

And finally a tight 3X2 vertical.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Artie, simply outstanding, the perspective is great, but yet the detail, sharpness and depth is incredible. Personally I would go with the the more vertical 3x2 because it has impact and in your face, but that's just my take. Love the texture in the head and the DoF is spot on, where did you place the focus point, in the middle of the bill, just slightly below the eyes?

With such a striking portrait, I wonder if the green could go a bit more brighter and richer and pull in more tonal range in the bill to highlight even more of the detail captured?

The image did stop me in my tracks, which was nice! :cheers:

TFS
Steve

[David Roach]

I like the vertical with more emphasis on the eyes. Amazing details. TFS

[John Mack]

The tight 3x2 crop all day. Steve's repost brings out more detail in the bill/head very nicely. Are those veins in the head? The blue lines on the left.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Artie, rockin for sure, love the tight 3x2 bc the skullcap is so prominent and demands my attention, those bulging red eyes also follow with reinforcement. The details are mesmerizing, where was the focus point, etc, ...?

[Arthur Morris]

HI All, Thanks for commenting. The active AF point (using SONY's amazing Tracking Flexible Spot) was on a spot one eyeball's width to the our right of the bird's right eye. I can only find the AF info in a program called RawDigger. And that in itself is difficult. It is a big negative for folks wishing to learn about their AF system ... I have let them know. CCL = could care less :). As for the blue lines, I am not sure what they are. I did remove something that looked a lot like a big liver spot from the head.

with love, a

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hey Artie, this one is sure up close and personal, very interesting perspective. I guess I like the first pane best, the 2x3. I think you position the bird to the right in the frame so it wasn't centered (I might have centered it). Lovely colors, not sure what the blue is on the head. I have never seen that before, but then I have never seen a spoonbill this close. Thank you for sharing.

[Brian Sump]

Artie, this is crazy cool. It looks like some zombie out of a Marvel movie (that's a compliment btw).

Detail for days, wow....

For me, #2 in the 'boxy' crop is the best. I'd love the vertical but the slight shadow throws off symmetry just enough.

Super unique, thanks for sharing!

[Ian McLachlan]

This is quite fabulous..I agree with Steve's version.No entertainer has ever worn a top as good as this.Nature wins.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Very nice. Green background works very well.