Eager to Learn Spotlight Image for week ending October 19th, 2012: Randall Farhy - Tern #2

Congratulations Randall!

Another Tern from the Brigantine Wildlife Refuge in NJ. Conditions were generally overcast but late in the day the sun poked through here and there. The trick was to anticipate it and find a spot to use it to advantage. Late afternoon and the tide was out, exposing mud flats and bars which helped break up the watery background (also limiting the areas in which these birds could feed). Overall, I'm satisfied with how this one turned out though I do have mixed feelings about the degree of background blur.

Camera: 7D
Lens 400 F5.6L

Exposure: ISO 800 1/2500 @5.6, No Exp Comp. Handheld.

Processing: Lightroom4, Topaz Denoise5. PSE9 for Jpeg conversion/reduction sharpening (.3P @ 73%). All post work except NR was accomplished in LR4, including the white vignette. While the highlights might appear blown, they do not register as clipped.

Crop: 35%, 5x7 aspect ratio for balance.

One dust spot (sensor) was removed in the top left region.

Comments/critique welcome and appreciated.

Thanks Daniel, very much appreciated. I was totally unaware until today, I'm just getting caught up with BPN all over again!