Bright light loon - joys of wide dynamic range

This fellow was imaged several years ago in northern Michigan. In times past, I would have been off the lake much earlier, but the dynamic range of the D4 allowed me to shoot later in the day and still manage the demands of a black and white bird.

D4 600VR TC14II f/6.3 1/1250s ISO 400. Mounted on pedestal in my little boat.

Post: Slight rotation for leveling, selective sharpening, cleaned up the catchlight, cropped for comp ( mainly from bottom)

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

Thanks for a great image, Randy. Black, white, green are a perfect combination.
(Can you describe the boat set-up?)

Jess:

12 ft Jon boat, seat on floor with camera mounted on a boat seat pedestal with Wimberley II. I actually don't have any images of the setup unfort. I have tried kayaks, but didn't feel comfortable with a big rig in one.
Because loons are always moving, you need to be able to move with them, so I use a remote control trolling motor.

Cheers

Randy

Great image, randy. love the textures, details and the exposure is perfect. I would have had more canvas at the top and bottom if it had been mine but it is personal taste.

The darks are like velvet and the whites filled with detail. Wonderful image, Randy.

Another beauty! Wouldnt know which one to select from your many loon pics

Agree with comments above, exposure, details and green FG/BG are so good!

Yes another great loon job. Water texture and colours spot on.
John

One of many superb loon shots. Keep 'em coming. All is said above. I hadn't realized that you used a remote controlled trolling motor -- makes a lot of sense. I've tried paddling to align a boat (canoe or kayak) with a moving loon while handling the camera, and it just doesn't work for me. Your rig gets you to the right spot, but it's your photographic skills that get the shot.

Excellent image and one I'd dearly love in my portfolio. The bird aside I love the smooth water.

Hi Randy, you just keep pulling them out of the bag, simply gorgeous.
Perfect low angle, love the side elevation and the catchlight just adds, cracking detail too. I also like the way the reflection tails off nicely.:cheers:

I just wondered if the 'green' environment looked a little flat, just adding a channel layer blend mode I think just brings a little more life into the frame and avoids the heavy saturation, likewise a Channel Curves adjustment to the quarter/mid tones of the subject, subtle, but I think it brings a bit more depth back into the Blacks. If you arrange them in PS for comparison you can see things better, just a thought.

Cheers
Steve

Thanks everyone for the comments and Steve for the nice repost.

Karl: I usually do leave more room below, but on my last few posts folks have been saying that I left too much, so I trimmed a bit tighter today!

Cheers

Randy

wonderful image indeed Randy, I like the richness of tones throughout and the exposure is right on to showcase this gorgeous loon. Big fan of the BG as well. tops!

I am a little short of words how about superb!

Lovely! The head looks like velvet.
I like your comp- such a personal taste thing,
Gail

Lovely, Randy... about as perfect as it gets. Thank you for sharing.

Velvet head indeed, with silk water!

Would be interesting to compare the version with just a little more below. I really like a reflection to end before the bottom of the frame, although this one has gone so light near the bottom that it's a very small point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski

Hi Randy, you just keep pulling them out of the bag, simply gorgeous.
Perfect low angle, love the side elevation and the catchlight just adds, cracking detail too. I also like the way the reflection tails off nicely.:cheers:

I just wondered if the 'green' environment looked a little flat, just adding a channel layer blend mode I think just brings a little more life into the frame and avoids the heavy saturation, likewise a Channel Curves adjustment to the quarter/mid tones of the subject, subtle, but I think it brings a bit more depth back into the Blacks. If you arrange them in PS for comparison you can see things better, just a thought.

Cheers
Steve

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Randy and Steve, I do like the re-post Steve has done. I can see more varied tones in the blacks and greens on the neck. That puts it over the top for me. I love Common Loons, as you know, and this one is the best yet from you Randy. I have not imaged any for some 3 years now. I like your set up in the boat. I still use my Kayak and paddle around the lakes. I rest on the side and scoot down to water level. I want to get a electric trolling motor for my square stern canoe. It would be much easier. TFS. As always your images delight the viewer.

A real beauty Randy! I like the low angle, IQ, colors, HA and pose. Repost brings it up a notch for me.

What a beautiful level and the shot here , love Two tone BG and beautiful green soft feel all over the frame...
love the Bird and details ....

Thanks again everyone for the comments added.

Grady: a trolling motor will make your life easier, and your shooting more productive. I can go forwards or backwards while remaining parallel to my loons , which saves a lot of circling around.

Cheers

Randy

A very desirable frame Randy, you captured it perfectly. The framing is great IMO

Great picture, nice deep shooting position and great eye contact.