Bald Eagle and mackerel and Detail extractor [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

gail bisson

03-02-2012, 06:23 AM

Canon 1D MK IV
f 500 and 1.4X
ISO 400
f 5.6
SS 1/1000
Almost full frame, took 5% off RHS and 5 % off top
On tripod and eagle baited with fish
This is my first image on which I used the Detail Extractor from Color Effex Pro at 12%. Artie is right- this plug- in is awesome. I wanted more detail in the whites and underwings so added the extractor to the entire image then used the minus control points to remove the BG from the effect. It is so easy to use and I am not computer savvy.
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

Randy Stout

03-02-2012, 07:00 AM

Gail:

Well done. I like the strong diagonals created by the wings and the lesser diagonal by the body and fish.

Detail extractor is great fun. I find that I have to remind myself not to overdo it, as it is easy to create a stunning image that doesn't really represent what you saw in the first place. Because of the fill provided off the snow, this application works really well ( our brains expect more detail under the wings than normal because of the snow fill)

Cheers

Randy

Ofer Levy

03-02-2012, 07:34 AM

An impressive image!! Great pose, sharp with excellent eye contact!

Marina Scarr

03-02-2012, 08:13 AM

This is one kick butt capture Gail. The pose is very powerful and the catch a big plus.

I just began using Nik myself. If there is any chance you may be willing to post the capture without the Nik, I would be very interested to see the before and after.

Clemens Vanderwerf

03-02-2012, 08:21 AM

Gail, great flight image with a perfect fish. 12% of detail extractor does not seem a lot, but the effect on dark color is really strong if you compare it to the impact on whites. I find the effect on the breast too strong. Would also give it a little punch with tonal contrast filter at about 30%. I prefer a wider crop with more room at the bottom and left. Other than that: Well done!

gail bisson

03-02-2012, 08:43 AM

This is one kick butt capture Gail. The pose is very powerful and the catch a big plus.

I just began using Nik myself. If there is any chance you may be willing to post the capture without the Nik, I would be very interested to see the before and after.
hi Marina,
I am at work right now but will post the original when I get home,
gail

Karl Egressy

03-02-2012, 09:43 AM

Great angle and excellent wing spread, Gail. I prefer the word fed or being fed.
Baiting as per dictionary means that you give food item to a fish or an amimal in order to capture it.:S3:

Stu Bowie

03-02-2012, 09:45 AM

Hi Gail, fantastic diagonal flight posture with a full wing spread, and I like the placement as is. Overall sharp, and I do like the underwing detail. I also like the snow BG too.Good to see his catch, ( bigger than mine:w3 ) and also interested to see your original.

Melissa Groo

03-02-2012, 10:15 AM

Fantastic capture, Gail. Love the angle and eye contact. Boy, that 1d4 is really singing in your hands. Thanks for the Nik explanation, I purchased it a couple months ago and now need to learn how to use it! So that is very helpful.

arash_hazeghi

03-02-2012, 10:22 AM

impressive! love the wing position and the fish. sharp and well exposed. I'd bump up the contrast a bit

dankearl

03-02-2012, 10:35 AM

You are getting really good at BIF photos
Another very impressive image.

Marina Scarr

03-02-2012, 11:51 AM

I guess I have to stop looking at these on my cell phone. Killer in every way already expressed but have to agree with that it needs a tad more contrast.

Jim Crosswell

03-02-2012, 12:06 PM

Excellent image Gail! I like the wing position, sharpness, details, catch and composition.

Robert Holguin

03-02-2012, 12:45 PM

Wow!!! Excellent shot. Love the flight pose, excellent detail, exposed very well, and love that we can it clinching its food.
Very well done.

Grace Scalzo

03-02-2012, 03:52 PM

Agree with the others, Gail, an impressive image. Also agree that it needs a bit more contrast. My eye is confused where the talons are grabbing onto the fish, looks like a shroud? I can't tell what's going on there.

gail bisson

03-02-2012, 03:54 PM

For marina and Stuart,
As promised, here is the original with my usual LR3 sliders before NIK detail extractor. My settings were ( i think: 21% detail extractor (not 12) and 6% contrast and I didn't touch the saturation slider).I used the detail extractor before sizing.
Gail
Hi Clemens- I don't have more room left or bottom.
Gail
I will try a version with less detail extractor and a boost in contrast as per all your suggestions with thanks

Kaustubh Deshpande

03-02-2012, 04:19 PM

Gail, terrific image. frozen when the bird was at just the right angle and strong diagonal. well done. one heck of a shot.

Ron Sprunger

03-02-2012, 05:43 PM

Gail, it's a wonderful image. Thanks for posting the before. That's quite a dramatic effect indeed (I've been blinking back and forth between the two). I have every other Nik product, so guess I might as well bite the bullet and get this one.

gail bisson

03-02-2012, 06:36 PM

Agree with the others, Gail, an impressive image. Also agree that it needs a bit more contrast. My eye is confused where the talons are grabbing onto the fish, looks like a shroud? I can't tell what's going on there.
Hi Grace,
The mackerel is half eaten. I threw it ( whole) on the ice and the gulls ate half of it before the eagle got brave enough to swoop down and grab it. I got lucky that he grabbed it the correct way with the tail dangling down. You do not want to know all the bad words that came out of my mouth when I thought the gulls would eat the entire fish!!:e3
Gail

Clemens Vanderwerf

03-02-2012, 07:23 PM

Hi Clemens- I don't have more room left or bottom.
Gail

Gail, I took the liberty to show you my version of your great image. With a bit of creativity you can create more room bottom and left to give the eagle a bit more flying space.

gail bisson

03-02-2012, 08:04 PM

Hi Clemens,
I like what you have done. I will add canvas to my final version and more contrast as well. Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it very much,
gail

Frank Schauf

03-03-2012, 07:52 AM

Really nice flight shot and great details.

stuart wanuck

03-03-2012, 10:03 AM

nice image gail could you possibly inform me of details to use reg rxtractor?

Arthur Morris

03-03-2012, 03:24 PM

Killer image, moment, comp. The image in Pane 1 shows the best detail in the WHITEs. From that one I would try to make the browns a bit BLACKER--as Clemens hinted the Details Extractor on the BLACKs might be a bit overdone.

I am glad that I did not miss this one? Where?

ps: I am pretty sure that the fish is not a mackerel.

gail bisson

03-03-2012, 04:26 PM

Hi Artie,
This image was taken at my favorite haunt ( 6 minutes drive from my home) in Ball's Creek. A local farmer feeds the eagles every Sunday and the occasional Saturday. I help throw the fish and Wayne told me this was a mackerel. I just called him and he said he would look at my picture and tell me what kind of fish it was. Will let you know.
I was out today and there was a total of 17 eagles on the ice and in the trees!! How I wish I had the 800mm...
Gail

Arthur Morris

03-04-2012, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the info. I look forward to the fish ID. Where I come from--NYC, mackerel have forked tails...

Peter Seidel

03-04-2012, 11:15 AM

Stellar action shot. Wing details, the fish etc. It may have been mentioned already but I think I would make a blacks adjustment. Not much, just slightly darker - the detail under the wings is great but looks just a bit washed out.

Pete

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 06:09 AM

Thanks for the info. I look forward to the fish ID. Where I come from--NYC, mackerel have forked tails...
Hi Artie,
The fish is a haddock! Feel free to amend my erroneous title,
Gail

Arthur Morris

03-05-2012, 03:28 PM

Hi Artie, The fish is a haddock! Feel free to amend my erroneous title, Gail

Thanks for following up. You forgot to include my three favorite words: "You were right." :S3: