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Thread: Lucky Man

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Default Lucky Man

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    This head portrait of a flapping Brant was created on the recently concluded Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/320 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode.
    Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF on the center of the bird’s face active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Full frame but for a smidge off the top. NIK Tonal Contrast on the bird only really helped as the light was flat. Bill and plumage detail clean-up. Viveza Control Points on the BKGR only added to the high key look (of the white sand BKGR).
    I was a bit lucky here on two counts:

    1-I was able to keep the sensor on the bird’s face and maintain accurate focus even though the bird was flapping its wings.
    2-the resulting image was sharp at 1/320 sec., a relatively slow shutter speed for a moving subject. I did employ some excellent stalking techniques to get close to this usually shy species


    Many might be interested in two recent blog posts: "Why The Biggest Gun?" and "Barnegat Miracle."

    As for the image, don't be shy; all comments are welcome.





    Last edited by Peter Kes; 12-29-2012 at 06:24 AM.
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    Yep, detail especially at those shutter speeds is extra good, especially considering the extreme focal length , but admit not being keen on the wing showing, just the head /portrait would work better for me

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Good details on the blacks and good for highlighting the lesson re" extreme focal length " and slow SS. Love the HA.
    Would prefer the wing to be gone and just the head and neck,
    Gail

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I think the wing adds to it, I think the flat light hurt you here.
    It helps exposing the blacks, but comes across as a bit dull.
    Dan Kearl

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    I'm with those who prefer to show the head only.
    The head shot is so great on its own that you won't miss on not showing the wing.
    It actually would be nice to see the head only so it would be easier to decide which one is better.
    Just a thought.

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    Great shot.
    Exposed very well, excellent details, and nice background.
    I agree on removing the wing. To me it just feels like if its from another bird.
    Either way... still a great shot.
    Well done.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Artie, excellent exposure on the blacks, and good detail on the bill. Stands out really well against the high key BG. My take is to see a version without the OOF wing.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    I actually love the wing here and I feel it adds to the image. As is the head and neck by themselves would sit too low in the frame anyhow but the wing adds some balance to the comp (IMO). I feel this species is under-appreciated and I always welcome viewing an image of one!

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    I am with Karl and Dan. I feel that the wing adds tremendously and would never think of removing it..... Makes folks wonder if the bird was flying. And I could not have positioned it more perfectly if I had painted it in....
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    Artie, great shot and excellent exposure. Just asking, but why +1 1/3 stops? I assume you were compensating for the high-key BG? I might have used spot metering off the bird's head (assuming it wasn't moving) and stopped down about 1.5 stops from that measurement. TFS and all you do.

    One more thing, I love the wing and agree with you and the other's about the lovely curve and that it balances the rest. Well done.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis Zaebst View Post
    Artie, great shot and excellent exposure. Just asking, but why +1 1/3 stops? I assume you were compensating for the high-key BG? I might have used spot metering off the bird's head (assuming it wasn't moving) and stopped down about 1.5 stops from that measurement. TFS and all you do.

    One more thing, I love the wing and agree with you and the other's about the lovely curve and that it balances the rest. Well done.
    Hi Dennis, As far as exposure, I did what I always do. Keep pushing to the right until I get blinkies. If the blinkies are on the bird, I usually cut back 1/3 stop. Here, there were a very few easily recovered blinkies only on the BKKR so I went with that. I believe that I started at +1. I've never liked spot metering for birds for many reasons (oultined in ABP and possibly in ABP II as well--see both here). -1 or -1 1/2 on the black head feathers would have gotten you there. As would +2 1/3 or so off the white sand. Nothing matters but pushing the exposure to the right.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Thanks Artie for taking the time to answer my admittedly "beginner" question. Much appreciated!

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    No problema Dennis. Lots to learn in both ABP and ABPII.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Techs really show your skill level, Arthur. Very clean image.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tim King View Post
    Techs really show your skill level, Arthur. Very clean image.
    Many thanks sir. I imagine that you get to Pelee a bit?
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Just for the record book and for those who like really flat light, here is the extracted JPEG untouched except for cropping and sharpening.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Arthur Sir:
    Very sweet portrait.Love the details in blacks and wing.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Gorgeous portrait of this handsome little goose. One does not see many, okay I can't even recall
    seeing any head shots of this species, so very well done in that regards.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn Zierman View Post
    Gorgeous portrait of this handsome little goose. One does not see many, okay I can't even recall seeing any head shots of this species, so very well done in that regards.
    Thanks Satsih and Shawn. The bays along western Long Island (including Queens and Brooklyn) are the world epicenter of this species wintering population. Many winter farther south along the east coast.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

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