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This mallard hen was imaged at the local bird sanctuary, early in AM, just a little light spilling over the tree tops. I really liked the effect of dark storm clouds in the water above her.
D700s 500mm f/4 1.4TC f/6.3 1/500s manual ISO 1000 Gitzo/wimb
Post: Selective sharpening, curves, 20% crop for comp , noise reduction on water
Advice and comments always appreciated
Cheers
Randy
I like the brushed effect of the water and eye contact in this one. Well done Randy!
I think you did an admirable job engineering this shot, Randy. Your f/6.3 brings the whole duck into focus, for example. You had little light to work with but saw in the situation a chance to tell the story of the storm clouds in the water. The noise, which you reduced, in the water is, however, still visible. I'd have thought that ISO 1000 on a D700s would create a smoother result, even in low light.
Jim & Craig:
Thanks for your input.
Craig - there is more noise than you would expect with the D700. It was a fairly dark exposure to protect the whites on the bird, and most of the water was quite dark. I didn't bring the exposure up, liked the dark/turbulent look. I have gone back and redone the noise reduction. Didn't want to lose too much of the texture in the water however.
Cheers
Randy
Yes, hi Randy, yes I understand your dilemmas. You needed to preserve the light areas and in any case were aiming for that darker feel. You obviously made the right choices. The only problem is the noise. I just got a D3S and would find noise at ISO 1000 unacceptable, even in a shot a bit underexposed. I'm not as familiar with the D700S.
Oh, I forgot to say that I'm on my iPhone and so can't say right away how the re-post looks. I don't want to risk a critique using the small display.
Randy, good angle of capture, with a good reflection. Interesting texture to the water, and although you have reduced the noise in your repost, I honestly believe you could take it a step further and still not lose the texture. I could be wrong, as you have probably tried already.:)
Great pose and beautiful water she still looks a bit under exposed? I'd lift the midtones a bit.
Very nice and moody Randy, I like the image as presented. Simple, but effective. :)
Randy...
Love the image and textures.
I guess nobody ever prints anything anymore. The noise is hardly noticeable, nobody other than we anal photogs would ever see it and it wouldn't show up in print.
The only think I might do differently is to brighten the top of the back of the head just a smidge.
