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Thread: Flash Did Not Fire....

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Default Flash Did Not Fire....

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    This backlit Cattle Egret head portrait was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/400 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. Color Temperature: AWB.

    The flash did not fire as it did not have enough time to re-cycle even with the Canon CP-E4 Compact Battery Pack

    Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the base of the bird’s bill was active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

    See the "Using Flash; First Impressions Can Be Deceiving" blog post here to see the original capture and the original and optimized versions of a similar image made with flash. There is lots to learn.

    As for the image, don't be shy; all comments are welcome.
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Artie, the black makes for a striking backdrop, helps to illuminate the crown plumage. Personally it you have it, would prefer some more canvas to the LHS, a wee be tight for me. Dropping the Blue via a saturation adjustment & blend mode to saturation, gives a more 'pristine white' around the head & neck, WDYT?

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member vishaljadhav's Avatar
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    Lovely image Bhai, infact i like the fact that the flash did not fire as it gave the back light to be of more power illuminating the feathers
    Black BG makes a great one for this bird
    Agree with Steve on some canvas on the left side

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Artie:

    The very strong backlight, with adequate light on the face, preening pose with parallel head position, dark background, all work for me.

    I am with Steve, more room to the left.

    I am sure you have done this countless times, but I often will fire a burst of shots with flash, and get a series of decreasing flash exposures, which then allows you to pick the balance you want. Perhaps some of our less experienced members could try that to their advantage.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Artie, the black makes for a striking backdrop, helps to illuminate the crown plumage. Personally it you have it, would prefer some more canvas to the LHS, a wee be tight for me. Dropping the Blue via a saturation adjustment & blend mode to saturation, gives a more 'pristine white' around the head & neck, WDYT? TFS Steve
    I think that your suggestions were great. I took the BLUE out of the shaded WHITEs, then to make them even whiter I went to a Selective Color on a Layer adjustment and took 15 points of BLACK from the NEUTRALs!!! I had wanted the WHITEs whiter but did not realize how I could do it until I read your comment. Adding the small bit of canvas was easy. So thanks! WDYT?
    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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    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Artie:

    The very strong backlight, with adequate light on the face, preening pose with parallel head position, dark background, all work for me.

    I am with Steve, more room to the left.

    I am sure you have done this countless times, but I often will fire a burst of shots with flash, and get a series of decreasing flash exposures, which then allows you to pick the balance you want. Perhaps some of our less experienced members could try that to their advantage.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Good point. With the flash at +1/3 all that I got was flash/no flash :)
    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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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Very pleasing image and the RP is even better. Love the back lighting and the dark BG. The bird really pops and it doesn't hurt that it's got a feather in a vice grip.
    Marina Scarr
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Artie, the hint more canvas works, plus going more 'pristine', as I like the contrast of the white against the rich black.

    Question: Are you happy with the areas of what appears to be blown whites, although slightly less noticeable in the RP?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Steve,

    Though I am normally fine with a bit of clipping on the rim light with strongly backlit white birds,, there are no blown highlights on the TIF with this image.... And I a fine with the very bright areas. The highest RGB # I could find is 244. Most of the brightest whites are in the mid to high 230s.
    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.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

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  12. #10
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thanks Artie, sometimes compression and scaling can emphasis, it's certain no deal breaker, but appreciate the clarification.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Would love to get close to one of these Arthur but it doesn't happen in this country much ! The space left is a definate improvement. I happen to like black backdrops even with macro stuff. Everyone doesn't of course.
    To be realy honest I can't see that much difference in the two posts colour wise. ( But as I have mentioned colour is not my strong point.) I tried my antiquated blown whites dropper test in Paint shop pro and it looks fine. It does show the blue well down.
    John R
    Last edited by John Robinson; 04-26-2014 at 05:02 PM.

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    A beauty Artie... I like the RP better.
    Joe Przybyla

    "Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams

    www.amazinglight.smugmug.com

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    Excellent capture! I like the re-post better. Love the HA, dark background and back lighting!

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