Dipper

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS ISO 800 -0.67 1/250 sec f4 fill in flash -1.66
I carefully checked the histogram as I took the shots, it looks a little dull - but it was!!

All comments welcome - even if you disagree with my explanation over exposure:w3

[EzhilSuresh]

Jonathan, the eye and the beak looks sharp. Regarding the "dull" remark, I think Dipper generally looks dull. On a recent visit to River Wharfe in Yorkshire Dales, I took several several shots of a Dipper on good light and was happy with the histogram but they were not impressive. I thought it was perhaps to do with the bird's colour.

[Arthur Morris]

Love the wing stretch. Fine image but too dark regardless of explanation :) A perfect EXP can still be processed to dark.... Pulled the curve way up. Applied a Linear Curve for pop. Poop and other clean-up. Digital Eye Doctor work. Selective sharpening of face with a Contrast Mask. All as described in Digital Basics (https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=252).

Will I become a one-handed bird photographer? See here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2011/05/20/optimism-increasing-why-bend-the-lens-2/).

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hmm - got to hand it to you Artie (pun intended:w3:w3) I think your rework works. I did try the overlay and BDX on the eye, I thought I had pretty well optimised at the raw stage with a tad of fill in light but I have gone back to raw done a curves as you suggested and then another linear curve... and yes it is better:S3:. Thanks as ever I appreciate feedback.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks :). I agree, but only 100% :)

[Arthur Morris]

BTW, you are welcome. Good news: I am typing with ten fingers :)