Needlefish ...

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created on 27 November 2020 at Fort DeSoto. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1485540-REG/sony_sel200600g_fe_200_600mm_f_5_6_6_3_g.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SO200600G/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSO200600G) (at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1509600-REG/sony_ilce9m2_b_alpha_a9_ii_mirrorless.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOA92/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOA92) ISO 500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:54am on a sunny morning. Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.

To learn the story of the creation of this image, see Topaz DeNoise AI in action, and save 15% on purchasing the Topaz stuff, see the blog post here (https://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2020/11/30/topaz-cyber-monday-sale-gbh-with-a-very-large-needlefish/).

As for the image, don't be shy. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

with love, artie

[Brian Sump]

Artie, there are many sensational aspects to your capture here.

For starters, the dof across the image is great. Then, seeing veins in the tongue on the Heron is nutso! The Needlefish sharp head-to-toe with the mouth open, teeth showing rocks.

I like the composition, though might I have considered evicting the leg in lower left.

What exactly did you to in post on this one?

Really neat, tfs!

[dankearl]

This is really nice, I think you left it thin,,, Maybe what you wanted, I liked it this way.

artm.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=189225&stc=1&d=1607918180)

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks, Dan. Thin in terms of tonality?

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Artie, there are many sensational aspects to your capture here.

For starters, the dof across the image is great. Then, seeing veins in the tongue on the Heron is nutso! The Needlefish sharp head-to-toe with the mouth open, teeth showing rocks.

I like the composition, though might I have considered evicting the leg in lower left.

What exactly did you to in post on this one?

Really neat, tfs!

Thanks, Wesley.

Sometimes stopped down 1/3 stop offers lots of d-o-f, as when the bird is relatively far from you.

As far as post, same old, same old. Convert in Capture One, DeNoise on Auto. And finished off with a 20% opacity layer of Image > Auto Tone (gasp!)

with love, artie

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hey Artie, love the image. That is a very large Needlefish, I have only seen smaller ones in the water surrounding different fishing piers. Your original posting looks just about perfect on my display. I wonder about the leg portion showing in the lower left corner. Thank you for sharing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Artie, excellent sharp detail throughout the image, and love how the two 'beaks/bills' are intertwined. I like how the body of the fish follows the outline of the neck of the Heron.

[William Dickson]

OP for me on the calibrated iMac....The detail is what first drew my attention....Love it...but yes for removing the 'awkward' leg part.

Will

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the IQ, details, composition and exposure. What I like the best is matching beaks! Very nice image Arthur.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Oh man, I would have given those fishermen a huge tip after that! I love the image, all of it, and the bit of leg is an important anchoring element that should not be ignored.

[arash_hazeghi]

This is an exceptional image. The fish makes it for me. All looks good from here

TFS

[John Mack]

At first i thought what a catch. But, I'm sure you were glad the fisherman donated this one. I like the framing. Neat how the bills are in crossed like that. Nice and sharp.