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Thread: Preening Black-Necked Stilt

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    Default Preening Black-Necked Stilt

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    Canon 1D4
    500mm +1.4x
    Skimmer Pod

    1/5000 sec
    f/6.3
    ISO 640

    Taken back in May in Fort Myers, FL. Techs are a bit wonky. This was back when I was shooting AV. I'm now a convert to Manual. Finally.
    This was a vertical that I cropped to horizontal. NR, sharpening, and whites recovery. There is some discoloration at the base of the bill that is in the original, didn't feel it was necessary to remove but please let me know if you disagree.
    What I liked best about this frame are those two flipped up feathers, and that background. And of course that it's a stilt, one of my all time favorite birds.
    Thanks so much in advance for any comments and critiques.

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    Melissa, stunning photo. Couldn't ask for a better background. Even though the bird is preening, I like that you chose a photograph where the bill is separated from the body. At first glance, it looked like there was a green cast on the wing, but now I'm thinking it's just picking up the color from the water.

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    Very nice shot. I really like the pose, excellent background, and lovely light.
    Well done.

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    Perfect timing capturing just the right pose, love those slightly curving feathers. Stunning BG, colors and light.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel Palaviccini View Post
    Melissa, stunning photo. Couldn't ask for a better background. Even though the bird is preening, I like that you chose a photograph where the bill is separated from the body. At first glance, it looked like there was a green cast on the wing, but now I'm thinking it's just picking up the color from the water.
    Thanks Miguel. I remember being surprised when I first noticed how green some of the stilts looked. I've since learned that "Males have a greenish gloss to the back and wings, particularly in the breeding season" (from Wiki). And yea, I liked the bill separation too.

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    I did not know that Melissa. Thanks for sharing!

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    BPN Viewer Dave Leroy's Avatar
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    Lovely colors and pose. I like how you were able to keep the head from overlapping into another bg layer. cool looking water how it disappears as well.

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    Melissa, this is also one of my favorite birds (I'd hate to guess what percent of my archive is devoted to them and avocets). I love the position in the frame and the BG and the fact that you got that glossy sheen. The whites are well done (and often dirty on these guys in my experience). I agree with you about the feathers -- they add a certain interest factor.

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Stunning light and BG on this one...never mind the stunning bird. It's one of my fav species too. You did a good job with your recovery and there are a lot of details. I agree on the 2 feathers and loving green iridescence. I would move him just a tad more to the right of the frame, and the capture needs a tiny bit of CCW. If you look at the bird's left leg, you will notice that the leg doesn't quite match the reflection. Glad to hear you are a manual convert!!!
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    Nice shot Melissa. Looks like a perfect exposure from my side balancing the blacks and whites. Great BG.

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    I was soooo dissapointed with my images from that day as my equipment was a mess remember? You know the sleeve thingy LOL and my lens was out . I missed some great opportunities but you sure got plenty great shots from it. I am happy for you. This one is really nice as it shows the great colors of the bird and that sweet light. Great call from Marina and a nice tip to see that horizon being off or on. I hope to meet up again next year for some more fun. Maybe I'll have a 500 by then.

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Great light and BG. Like the pose and the techs look great over here. Blacks are exposed very well and the comp is fitting for the birds position. Good Job..

    David

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    very nice Melissa, love the light preening pose and nice feather. I see a green/orange cast on the whites which I took out for you. it is coming from Ambient light, if you use ACR you have to correct this as it often cannot correctly apply the white balance by default.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Melissa love the shot, as luck would have it I have just done exactly what Arash suggested so there is not point my posting it, I think the raw converter in CS6 is really pwerful

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    Excellent shot with very nice soft background, Melissa.

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    Very very sweet image.Love the great details in black and whites,nice colorscheme and lights. Blacks looks beautiful in repost by Arash.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi View Post
    I see a green/orange cast on the whites which I took out for you. it is coming from Ambient light, if you use ACR you have to correct this as it often cannot correctly apply the white balance by default.
    Good catch, Arash. Repost colors look great. I am really working on detecting casts but it's not always easy such as in this case. I noticed on the second look that something was a tad off on the colors but couldn't pinpoint it. Appreciate the knowledge and RP.
    Marina Scarr
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    Nice job, Arash. Definitely an improvement. Thanks for doing this. Yes, I did this one via ACR but am starting to get the hint that one should use DPP when dealing with possible color casts.
    Thanks Marina for the rotation and crop suggestion, will do that and all others for your kind feedback.

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    Fantastic photography Melissa, I love the colors, head sharpness and low angle. Arash's version is even better TFS.

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    This is simply gorgeous Melissa. Just a beautiful and regal looking preening pose. Love the sheen off the flight feathers the light created. Nice low POV as always in your shots. One bird I have yet to photograph in a trip to Florida.

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