Also Another Virginia Rail

[Enrique Patino]

I was not sure if to post this image, but I thought I could use input if you have any. There is a public place nearby where I've been tracking v-rails for over a year now. I even counted then during the winter. By this time last year they were off the nest with chicks running around. By the time of this image a couple days ago, I believe they are still sitting on eggs.

This image was taken first thing in the AM during a cloudy day. I did some cloning in the "in-focus" (same level as the feet) line because this image was almost a full stop underexposed and some of the brights in this line got blown-out (I could try different methods if I process it again). I separated the subject and the patch of grass with topaz re-mask and did a couple of runs of noise reduction on the BG and FG with neatimage. the rest of the adjustments were done with luminosity masks. Too much?

thanks!



7D, 500mm @ f/4.0, 1/500, ISO 1600, HH, cropped for comp. Audio used

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely subject with nice low angle. Love how the bird pops against the green BG. Your work looks good although I think some NR on the BG would be helpful since I think I may be seeing noise in your greens. You may wish to crop some off of the bottom.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Enrique this one looks great to me. I can see how you had to boost your ISO but details are well maintained. If anything I would stick with the 2:3 ratio as there is a lot of empty space on top.

[Enrique Patino]

I tried another crop, did some color balance work and a little eye work, and desaturated the bill a tad... and here is how it looks now... better?

[christopher galeski]

nice image,nice feather detail,like the BG and low angle,agree on a bit off the bottom,like original post best.

[Binu John]

Beautiful low angle shot! Love the colors and background! I like the original pose better, but the NR in the RP looks better!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Enrique, super pose and I like the colours on this fellow. Comp wise, I would take off the bottom and top. Your repost with the NR works well.

[vishaljadhav]

Repost is smashing, surely takes it over the top

[Andy Shepherd]

Yes, the repost is much better, Enrique...though there is still a little noise in the feathers of the Rail. I think somewhere between the two re the colours and saturation.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the nice display of the environment and the low angle, head is sharp. I like the HA but would prefer a bit more turn towards us. Repost is a but better although orig. was great too. Noise is still showing in the dark feathers and parts of the tail, but not much you can do with a 7D at this ISO.

TFS

[Satish Ranadive]

Superb profile image.

Regards,
Satish.

[Greg Oakley]

Beautiful colours and detail in this - well done