This is as close as I've been able to get to my "bucket list" shot I've been trying to get for years! Taken at the same location/time as my previous posts. IQ is not the best as this is a fairly large crop (I have much more room around the pre-crop...would this work better then?)
D500/500PF, 1/3200th sec@f5.6, iso2500, manual mode HH. Thanks for looking and providing feedback on my previous posts.
12-08-2022, 10:15 PM
Sanjeev Aurangabadkar
Beautiful in-coming dive pose. Love those talons and the intensity displayed. Agree the IQ has suffered a bit, but none the less a fine shot.
12-09-2022, 08:15 AM
Steve Kaluski
Hi Paul, a great pose, but as you say, the IQ of the image isn't there for many factors.
I think you probably 'Globally' adjusted things which hasn't helped in relation the the backdrop albeit the blacks are choked. Again, I'm hesitant on how good the expose was, but this might have benefited from Double processing and using Smart Objects as your basis when exporting to PS, in that way you can control both the subject and the background. Having a darker BKG would be better and as you aren't adverse to the odd bit of cloning, you going easily do a little bit of gardening too and being darker, lets obvious.
TFS
Steve
12-09-2022, 09:32 AM
Joseph Przybyla
Hi Paul, wonderful, dynamic pose of the bird with the talons outstretched. As other have commented on the IQ has taken a hit most likely from the big crop you describe. I think I would try a composition with the bird small in the frame and see how it looks. Steve mentioned double processing the image, one set of edits for the background and another for the subject. With the masking that is now in Lightroom that can easily be done without using Photoshop. Thank you for sharing.
12-09-2022, 10:12 AM
Steve Kaluski
But exporting as a Smart Object Joe, you have far greater control overall with the two layers, with a better outcome. Lr with masks is ok, but not the best route, nor will it ever replace the power of PS, however if you can achieve the same results fine.
12-09-2022, 10:21 PM
Paul Burdett
Thanks Sanjeev, Steve & Joe. Good points raised. Hadn't thought about the double processing. Joe: The original file has much more room around the bird.
12-10-2022, 04:56 AM
Jonathan Ashton
I think worth having another look and reducing the crop then try processing the background and subject selectively, I think this could be a good image.