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Thread: A dark and quiet morning: Common loon

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default A dark and quiet morning: Common loon

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    This fine fellow was imaged on a northern Michigan lake last week. Dead still water, but very low light levels.

    D4 600VR f/4.5 1/400s ISO 1000 SB900 with beamer, -2.0 EC Camera mounted in bottom of my little boat, the Loonie Too.

    Post: CS5, selective sharpening, cleaned up flash reflection in eye, removed two tiny spots from water. 15% crop for comp No noise reduction

    I liked the interesting colors showing on the head. I left the image a bit dark, as that is how it appeared that early am.

    Advice and comments always appreciated.

    More to follow!

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Randy,
    A beautiful demonstration of flash used perfectly.
    I like the comp and the dark atmosphere conveyed by the low light. Your IQ is excellent at these low light levels and allows us to see the different colors in the head and that great sheen on the beak.
    Still can't believe you used flash on this image,
    Gail
    PS Still hoping for a picture of Loonie Too in Photography Gear Forum.

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    Randy, the black beak and head really stand out against the background, good timing there, almost giving it a 3D effect. Sharp and excellent IQ as expected.

    Gary.

  4. #4
    Ofer Levy
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    I think you definitely deserve the title "The Loon Man". I like the angle. Would tone down the white and boost colours with less of the bluish cast.

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    Love the dark moodiness of it. Ofer noted my only suggestion (the white).

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    Randy, the head, beak and background are excellent. The white breast looks a bit hot on my monitor. A geat image of a magnificent bird.

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Randy,

    Just started posting on this forum but been a wildlife photographer most of my adult life. All I can say is that there is a specific point when photography turns into art, this is it!! Great job.

    David

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    BPN Member Tony Whitehead's Avatar
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    Great job, Randy. Love the detail on the head with the little water droplets and plumage iridescence. Looking forward to more in this series
    Tony Whitehead
    Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.

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    BPN Viewer Giuseppe Varano's Avatar
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    Stunning portrait with great low angle and eye contact.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, I really like the angles you achieve shooting from your boat, and good use of flash to bring out the colours on the head. Love the complimentary colours to the BG too. Did I mention the good placement of the Loon in the frame.

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    Perfect, with great eye contact, Randy.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for the comments. Much appreciated.

    The whites on the breast do appear quite bright because the image is otherwise rather dark. They are in the 240 range. I will do another pass on it, but they often get a bit muddy/gray looking if brought down too much.

    The breast feathers often look a bit featureless when illuminated from straight ahead. I will post some other images with more side illumination, which show nice texture in the breast feathers.

    Thanks again.

    Cheers
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Very nice use of flash, I would not know unless stated.
    Dan Kearl

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    Fantastic image. Before reading your explanation I was going to ask whether you used a beamer for this. Love the mood and low angle. I agree with the other comments about the whites on the chest - I'd tone that down slightly.

    Pete

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