400mm
f/5.6
1/1000s
ISO 200
Canon T2i
Evaluative metering
Sandhill Cranes
400mm
f/5.6
1/1000s
ISO 200
Canon T2i
Evaluative metering
I'm on my iPhone again, will have ADD for the rest of the month as I'm traveling. From what I can judge here I like that the two birds are separated by the shallow DOF. The front one looks nicely sharp and well detailed, but those viewing on a large screen can better comment.
The tonal details look good from here but I think I'd like to see more of the birds' bodies, and especially to have more room at the bottom for the feet. But it's always hard to decide on a composition without seeing the possible versions.
I very much like this shot.
A little more room needed on the right I think.
Maybe a bit on the bottom.
However I love the BG and the OOF foliage in the FG.
The light on the breast feathers and neck is particularly nice.
The bird in back OOF I think needs to be pushed a bit more OOF or just burn down the color a bit so that the color and feather detail on the front bird is more obvious, especially across the back of the bird.
I think the focus on the main birds head is slightly soft, looks like the main focal point was more on the feathers in the FG, so maybe a DOF issue. Someone more expert will answer this for you.
It's not bad though and this shot really works for me, its very original.
Nice job.
Originally Posted by Diane Miller
Thanks all. The entire frame was used, and some canvas added to the top and right (should have disclosed this) to balance the composition. I stayed tight to the pair rather than backing up because they were actively calling and I didn't want to miss it. If I get the nerve will post a shot of that. Like the suggestion to burn the background bird, will give it a try. Thanks again, wonderful to get constructive critiques.
Ron...when and where was this shot? I'm in Cleveland, OH, so I'm interested since
Sandhill Cranes are kinda rare. By any chance was this at the Sandy Ridge Reservation?
Doug
It was indeed Sandy Ridge Reservation, on 10/12/13. We have tried many times this year to see the resident pair without much more than a brief glimpse at a distance. But on this occasion they danced their way close to us -- too close in the end to get an entire bird in the frame. I had seen a picture in the PD with a caption noting that they are now unconcerned about humans, and it was certainly true when we went. Good luck!
Thought so. I go there a couple of times a year. I swear those Cranes only show up when
I'm not there :)
I was thinking about going out this weekend, but the forecast is kinda iffy right now.
Doug
Hi Ron, firstly you need to check your setting for conversion to web, as the image is showing an Untagged profile, not sRGB for web display, this may mean your image is not displayed to it's full potential.
Taking the image itself and not knowing if this is a big crop, I would try a square crop from the top down, avoiding the clutter/vegetation below and giving more presence to the subjects. Opening the head up (lightening) of the main bird brings more clarity & detail back, use a Curves adjustment, Shadow/Highlight is just too strong. Adding a Luminosity layer punches up the plumage nicely set around 30%. Depending on your kills, I would sample the blue and brush over where the white of the other bird overlaps the bill of the main subject.
TFS
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
I like the idea of cropping a lot off the bottom. If you darken the BG bird you will just make it merge more with the FG bird. If anything, I'd darken the back of the FG bird behind the shadow of the neck, and / or lighten the BG bird in that area.
Thanks so much Steve and Diane.
I am not sure I got the curves and luminosity quite right. I started over, wasn't quite so contrasty with the levels adjustment, then applied a curves layer with an 'S" curve and luminosity-blended the curves layer at 30%--is this what you meant?
The crop, blue sampling (wow! brilliant!) and dodge/burning do wonders! With the new crop, I cloned out some remaining vegetation.
Thanks so much, this is so helpful.
Steve said, "I would sample the blue and brush over where the white of the other bird overlaps the bill of the main subject." But I'm not sure what he means -- explanation? I thought he meant the white area to the right of the bill, but I would deal with that by cloning from the adjacent water. That area is still there so I'm puzzled....
But I see what you did, adding some blue tint to the back bird, which I think was very effective. And the back bird is subtly darker here but still well separated from the front one.
Hi Ron,
Really love the re-post! Agree with Diane, a careful cloning out of the white above the bill of the main bird should work. (at first, I couldn't tell what the "white blob" was there, then realized it was the feathers of Bird 2.) Well done!
www.mibirdingnetwork.com .... A place for bird and nature lovers in the Great Lakes area.
Hi Ron good RP, but there is more to extract as per the attached I feel. I'm not a lover of square crops, but occasionally they can be useful and remember, cropping dramatically can bring more life to an image providing there is enough IQ.
Your RP image now has an RGB Profile, just have a quick skim read in Wildlife sticky about Saving for Web, you need to give the image the correct Destination space which, for web is sRGB. Some of the setting have been superseded, but the principal works. If you are using CS6 then there are three boxes I think from memory that need to be checked.
Understanding Curves is simple, but complex sometimes, however I've over written my PS Curves so how I do it is more along the lines of old B/W printing so don't worry, but I'm sure the Mods here can walk you through, likewise Luminosity adjustment layers & modes. I think there is enough separation between the two subjects and going darker in the FG pulls out I believe more depth & detail, likewise a bit more USM. There is still the white area by the bill which I've indicated and you may wish to look at perhaps as i feel it looks cleaner, but your call?
All the best.
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Strangely, I never saw the white blob above the bill, and "blued" parts of the background bird elsewhere. Now it seems as obvious as a bump on a nose :)
Thanks all for you kind comments and the effort you have put into your comments and critiques.
Priceless Ron.Now it seems as obvious as a bump on a nose
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Great RP, and as usual very useful information gathered from Steve and Diane.
Though Ron is more adept than I am, as I am totally lost in curves and luminosity masks.
I try curves a lot and end up just getting more and more confused.
Love how you treated the back bird, exactly what was in my head when I suggested a slight burn down.
Awesome image I must say, not the ordinary sandhill image.
Nothing to add really except great repost. Taking out the legs on the crop eliminates the need for the whole bird and focuses on the part that is important.
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