Canadian Red-wing Blackbird

[Steve Kaluski]

Taken on the very last knockings of a very grey day with Jamie Douglas.

As we headed back to the car, a flock of these birds were floating around, however shortly after this was taken they just vanished just as quickly. In an ideal world the bird in the BKD would not be their, however I think I was fortunate to get some space between it's leg and the tail feathers of the FG bird, wish I could have said that was planned. Likewise, having the whole foot of the FG Blackbird too would have been better.

On reflection
The more I use the camera, the more I'm really impressed with the 1DX.

Steve

Subject: Red-wing blackbird on log, beak open (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Location: Canada
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 plus 1.4x
Exposure: 1/400s at f/8 ISO2500 +0.67 stop compensation

[Grace Scalzo]

Steve, Your blacks are impressive with great detail and no noise that I can see. How did you convert this? I'm not in love with the back bird, but the bigger issue as I consider this image is the disconnect created by the lack of eye contact from your main subject. Food and open beak are nice.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Grace, as I mentioned, I had almost zero time, about four frames and they were off, so no real chance of getting a better HA. Also I personally think we can miss the shot if we wait to long, waiting for the right moment, so I would rather get something in the bag, but some may have other views.

All I did was fire off one shot, adjusted the EV based on the Histogram and just went for it. The IQ of the 1DX is outstanding, likewise the colour. Regarding the black I just added a few adjustments in Curves coupled with a channel layer, as I have my Curves set up for 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 tones and over riding the PS presets, a lesson I learnt from an old B/W print guy. It's amazing how some of the old school techniques are applied to the modern world of Post production.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hey Steve. I really like the light on the front bird and of course the inclusion of the berry or seed? I keep wanting to move the birds more to the right , just a little and then skim from the top or bottom for balance.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Cheryl, this was my thinking when I cropped it. I have more on the RHS, below & above, with a bit more on the left. Gosh you girls are tough in Avian for an old Wildlife guy.

[Richard Unsworth]

Steve

totally superb, I cant remeber seeing this level of detail in black before.
This so works, the composition is just perfect

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hi Cheryl, this was my thinking when I cropped it. I have more on the RHS, below & above, with a bit more on the left. Gosh you girls are tough in Avian for an old Wildlife guy.

Yup!! Thats what i was thinkin too

[Rachel Hollander]

Steve - you've shown how you earned the nickname "Mr. Detail" over in Wildlife on this one. Superb details in the blacks and you did well given the shooting conditions. It seems the HA police may be letting you off with just a warning due to the inclusion of the berry/seed but it's a close call. Is there a slight halo along the back of the head of the in focus blackbird?

TFS,
Rachel

[Barry Ekstrand]

....I just added a few adjustments in Curves coupled with a channel layer, as I have my Curves set up for 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 tones and over riding the PS presets, a lesson I learnt from an old B/W print guy. It's amazing how some of the old school techniques are applied to the modern world of Post production.

Steve, any recommendations on where I can read up on this? I have lots to learn and blacks in birds are a real challenge.

[PhilCook]

Lovely exposure and all sits in the frame well I think, liking also the gnarly old log perch and of course the berry in the beak. yes to preferring not to have the backdrop bird in the image, but I think it works quite well with the opposing stances. Yes to a little more head turn towards the camera, but at least you have caught the light in the eye very nicely.........certainly a handsome looking species

[Frank Schauf]

Excellent shot with very nice soft background.

[Jamie Douglas]

Love this Steve and I know just how short the window of opportunity was before the flock dispersed. HA angle does not bother me seeing as the OOF black bird in the BG helps to balance the image, although I do think some catch light in the BG bird would have helped make this just a little stronger. But like I said, we both know what could have been if these little birds hung around a little longer. I think the army of mallards was too much for them.

Nice work an we will make it happen next time.

I'll be saving a link to this image as reference for future dreary day black image processing.


Jamie

[Steve Kaluski]

Sorry guys, apologies in not replying back sooner, just been really busy, plus I'm now away again.

Thank you for taking the time to view and reply, much appreciated.

Barry sadly nothing available to view or read up on, plus the way things work are built around my own style of workflow. All I can say is read up on Curves & Mid tones and how it affects an image. Curves is incredibly useful and really brings life to an image. Mid tones IMHO is where all the detail lies and this is for me, the key component.

Cheers
Steve