A Comparative Exercise ...

Image #1: American Oystercatchers adult feeding fledged young

This image was created on August 19, 2018 at Nickerson Beach, Gilgo Beach, Long Island, NY. I used the InduroGIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering + 1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3. AUTO 0 WB at 5:02pm on a cloudy afternoon. Center Group (grp)/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The bottom point of the array was right on the large chick’s eye. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.

Please see the image in Pane 2 and the questions in Pane 3.

with love, artie

Image #2:American Oystercatcher, fledged young eating sand crab

This image was also created on August 19, 2018 at Nickerson Beach, Gilgo Beach, Long Island, NY. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering + 1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3. AUTO 0 WB at 5:23pm on a cloudy afternoon. Center Group (grp)/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. This time, the bottom point of the array was right on the adult’s head. Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.

Please see the image in Pane 1 and the questions in Pane 3.

with love, artie

Evaluating and Comparing Similar Images …

Surprisingly, the two images above are not part of a series; Image #2 was created 21 minutes after Image #1. Please post a reply detailing the strengths and weakness of each image. Which young bird has the most engaging head position? Which adult is sharper? Which image has the most pleasing background.

Overall which do you think is the stronger image? Why?

You can learn a lot more in the A Common Over-saturation Misconception. Post-Processing Adult Skimmer Bills. And Evaluating and Comparing Similar Images ... blog post here.

Hi Artie, to me the image in Pane#2. The interaction between the juvenile and the adult is more engaging. Both are equally sharp and detailed and the background is better without the white area crossing the image. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Artie,
Pane #2 1.for these reasons: both birds give great side views without any obstruction, in pane #1 young oystercatcher's beak intersect's parents leg. 2. In pane #1 there is further intersection of the water line diagonally through both birds, not so attractive. 3. Pane #2 has more details throughout both birds unlike pane#1 (head is noticeably not sharp on adult) Although it was cloudy, both birds have noise and the colors are "flat", blacks especially look washed out. Hesitate to say this because I'm weak on color cast but does the blacks have a bluish tint?

Pane #2 is by far the best.
The birds both fall within DOF as both bodies are parallel to the sensor.
Image IQ seems better on #2 as well. Clearer and sharper,
Gail

For me pane 2 by far, the poses are more engaging the plane of focus is better, if you wish to show the eyes for comparison this is the one. There isn't an intrusive surf line either.
Artie, I am assuming there is only a small crop to the original, if so why did you go for f6.3, at this magnification I am guessing I would have gone for f8 or even smaller. The background appears to be clear of obstacles so I am intrigued.

I like both of these images. Image #1 has the most engaging head position of the youngster. The adult is sharper in image #2. Image #2 has the great background. Image #1 is stronger to me tells more of a story with the adult feeding the youngster.

Artie:

This is a fun teaching sequence. I prefer the image composition in #2, repeated poses, no overlap (as Ann mentioned). I like the background of #1 better as #2 looks too much like a studio shot, not enough environmental connection. There is a stronger sense of action in frame #1 to my eye.

so its simple really, just merge the best of each for the best image!

Randy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jonathan Ashton

For me pane 2 by far, the poses are more engaging the plane of focus is better, if you wish to show the eyes for comparison this is the one. There isn't an intrusive surf line either.
Artie, I am assuming there is only a small crop to the original, if so why did you go for f6.3, at this magnification I am guessing I would have gone for f8 or even smaller. The background appears to be clear of obstacles so I am intrigued.

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Thanks Jon. With the separation of the two birds in Image #1, f/8 would not have been nearly enough to get the adult sharp ... And as I keep saying, I like to keep my ISOs as low as possible unless raising it is absolutely necessary.

See my additional comments here.

with love, artie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by annmpacheco

Hi Artie,
Pane #2 1.for these reasons: both birds give great side views without any obstruction, in pane #1 young oystercatcher's beak intersect's parents leg. 2. In pane #1 there is further intersection of the water line diagonally through both birds, not so attractive. 3. Pane #2 has more details throughout both birds unlike pane#1 (head is noticeably not sharp on adult) Although it was cloudy, both birds have noise and the colors are "flat", blacks especially look washed out. Hesitate to say this because I'm weak on color cast but does the blacks have a bluish tint?

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And to think that I actually like both images. Go figure.

thanks with love, artie

ps: the adult in Image #1 is not sharp because the adult was well behind the young one. I am 100% fine with that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John Mack

I like both of these images. Image #1 has the most engaging head position of the youngster. The adult is sharper in image #2. Image #2 has the great background. Image #1 is stronger to me tells more of a story with the adult feeding the youngster.

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Thanks John, I too love the head position and expression (if you would) of the juvie in Image #1. If not for the breaking wave, #1 would be my favorite by miles as the lack of d-o-f on the adult does not bother me one iota.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

Thanks Jon. With the separation of the two birds in Image #1, f/8 would not have been nearly enough to get the adult sharp ... And as I keep saying, I like to keep my ISOs as low as possible unless raising it is absolutely necessary.

See my additional comments here.

with love, artie

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I am in unison with your point Artie..... but would ISO 1600 or thereabouts have produced a significantly inferior image?

Though I will often go to ISO 4000 or 8000 when I absolutely need to, I prefer ISO 400 files to ISO 800 files. That true with my D850s and my 5D IVs (the latter when I was using Canon).

with love, artie

Artie, nice images but I'm picking up a slight pinkish cast to these, maybe in need of a bit more black also.

-Tim

Hi Artie, while both images have interaction between the two OC's, I feel the second image is stronger, as the OC on the right falls more into the DOF, and the head is sharper for that reason. Love the low perspective in both images.