White-winged Black Tern

[Paul Randall]

White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
Werribee, VIC, Australia

Its not often that this species sticks around long enough to change into their breeding plumage down here in Oz so I was pretty happy to get a good shot of this stunning Tern.

All comments welcome :c3: Paul

Canon 5D 600mm f4 L (non IS) + 1.4 TC iso 400 1/640th f10 CW metering +2/3 tripod mounted
Photoshop- slight sharpen of features

[Arthur Morris]

Sweet bird; looks like a combo Black Tern/Common Tern. Sharp with a good EXP. Cleaning up the few white specks on and around the base of the bill would be an option.

[Ofer Levy]

Nice shot Paul! I like the low angle, eye contact and excellent techs. Here is a repost with the standard photoshop adjustments needed to do justice with this lovely capture. (There is no way around it...:w3)

[Arthur Morris]

Either works for me; some folks prefer their BLACKS blacker.

[Paul Randall]

Sweet bird; looks like a combo Black Tern/Common Tern. Sharp with a good EXP. Cleaning up the few white specks on and around the base of the bill would be an option.

:S3: Thought someone might mention that. Such a clean and slick looking specimen with such a dirty bill:S3:

[Paul Randall]

Thanks for the repost Ofer, can't see a great deal of difference though:2 What did you do?

[Ofer Levy]

Hi Paul,
Put the 2 photos side by side and you will be able to tell what was done....:w3

[Paul Randall]

I can see a slight saturation boost but no difference in the levels etc.

[Tom Rambaut]

I've never seen this species before. Either works for me. Nice low angle and BG.

[Ofer Levy]

I can see a slight saturation boost but no difference in the levels etc.
You will have to start using photoshop a bit more....:w3

[Paul Randall]

You're probably right, would you believe I am using Photoshop CS vers #1 from nearly 10 years ago:e3

[Arthur Morris]

Ofer's version offers more detail in the BLACKS. Paul, pane #5 is better but still too may specks left for me :) Work really large on the master file and scroll thru the area using either the Patch Tool or the Spot Healing Brush.

[Paul Randall]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it another go next time I process it:S3:

[Ofer Levy]

You're probably right, would you believe I am using Photoshop CS vers #1 from nearly 10 years ago:e3
You are too good photographer to not pay attention to processing. Digital photography is done in two stages - capturing and processing. I often see photographers declaring they didn't use any processing. This is not such a good practice...:w3

[Paul Randall]

Yes, I will get around to buying a newer version. Until now, all my spare cash has gone to photography equipment but now I have the big lens I wanted I should put software down as a priority.
Sometimes I feel like I'm 10 years behind everyone else:e3 (10 year old version of PS, 5 year old camera, 15 year old lens :2eyes2:) :S3::S3:

[Ofer Levy]

Yes, I will get around to buying a newer version. Until now, all my spare cash has gone to photography equipment but now I have the big lens I wanted I should put software down as a priority.
Sometimes I feel like I'm 10 years behind everyone else:e3 (10 year old version of PS, 5 year old camera, 15 year old lens :2eyes2:) :S3::S3:

You still manage to produce excellent work my friend!! :w3

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Paul, this is such an excellent capture. Great details, very well exposed, super-low angle, light on the face, catchlight...very good all around.

[Mark Young]

Lovely image Paul. Great looking plumage.