I spent a few hours with some red squirrels a few days ago and got there too early as I'd miscalculated the sunrise time at the location (forgot about the big hill blocking the suns path!) so whilst waiting for the 'usual' type shots I went for something a bit different, this being the squirrel against a field in the distance which had already been hit by the sun.
Can't make my mind up about this one to be honest - I like the overall look but dislike some of the techs, but if I can I'd like to leave it to you to point out the issues to see if they match my thoughts.
Still getting to grips with my new 5d3 so the ISO setting is a bit too high as I'd been using the dim light to experiment, but the techs were -
Canon 5d3, 500mm f4is, ISO 2000, 1/3200th f4
Processed in LR5 with highlights and whites reduced with a boost to the shadows and blacks, and a little NR applied. Slight crop to allow clockwise rotation which meant I had to add a little more canvas to the top in PS to replace that lost to allow for the rotation.
I think there may be a bit more to be had from this, so over to you guys!
Last edited by Mike Poole; 11-07-2014 at 07:29 AM.
Reason: can't spell
I like the overall look but dislike some of the techs,
What are the dislikes of the techs and why?
Secondly can you explain the techs;
- Why such a high ISO/SS and shooting at f/4?
- Spot meter compared to evaluated
- EV +1 not higher, i.e. to lighten subject and blow the BKG
- By lightening the subject you increase noise in the dark/shadow areas
What was it that you were trying to capture in the overall look & feel? Mike I'm away so using the laptop, just popped in to avoid the shower/lightening that just hit, so not ideal...
I'd been using the time before the ideal light to see what the camera was capable of at higher ISO's. I was only messing about, experimenting when this fella sat on a fence post against the light from the field behind so grabbed a couple of shots. As I was only experimenting I'd set up in Av instead of my usual manual mode.
I tend to favour spot metering and was getting a feel of how far to the right the camera can go, hence the +1. The next shot in the sequence was a lot brighter and blew most of the BG but I don't like the overall look as much, even if I drop the exposure in PP. The f4 was because that's all I'd been able to use in the dim areas.
I appreciate lightening the shadows will increase the noise which is one of the issues I have with this frame
The frame as posted is very similar to how the scene looked at the time of shooting, although I agree there is more detail in the squirrel in your edit
Mike, do as much as you can in camera, you can easily do the last image in camera, without any tricks. I like the idea of what you had, but pushing the backlit element. Make you choice/intent once you have arrived on site, as the weather/light could dictate you change things.
With that beautiful golden glow in the bkgd., I favor the silhouette version. This creates a dramatic image. It also takes advantage of those lovely wisps of fur of the tail and ears, as well as the whiskers. You have a great profile and this shows off best as a silhouette.
Mike, I like all three images. Steve's repost is my favorite, with your first posting in 2nd place. The image has a very unique and dramatic quality, which boosts the interest to me. The brownish-yellow background works great, and I like the natural vignette. The profile silhouette presented by Steve's re-post couldn't be better.
This is one interesting experiment and something all of us can learn from! I was going to suggest a silhouette when I scrolled down and found Steve's second version of your image - I absolutely love it! If there's not enough light to get the detail we all strive for, there's always the alternative of a striking silhouette against a beautiful BG
Keep playing Mike, looking forward to more from you!
Hi Mike - Steve has covered it well and I too would have gone for the silhouette version in the field. In your op I would certainly eliminate the dark vignettes in the left corners. I am confused by your statement that f4 was all you were able to use in the dim light. Certainly, while the squirrel was relatively static while perched on the fence post, you could have dropped both the ss and the ISO and stopped down a bit. Of course, for the full silhouette in the field, you would have wanted to keep the ss high.
Hi Mike - Steve has covered it well and I too would have gone for the silhouette version in the field. In your op I would certainly eliminate the dark vignettes in the left corners. I am confused by your statement that f4 was all you were able to use in the dim light. Certainly, while the squirrel was relatively static while perched on the fence post, you could have dropped both the ss and the ISO and stopped down a bit. Of course, for the full silhouette in the field, you would have wanted to keep the ss high.
TFS,
Rachel
Hi Rachel, thanks for commenting. I fully agree with all the comments about the less than idea settings, but I was just testing a new camera out whilst waiting for the sun to creep round a large hill to light up the working area when this fella perched on the post for a second or 2 which is when I grabbed the shot, and shifted before I could switch back to my usual manual mode
Hey Mike - lots already said. I loved the thumbnail and immediately recognised an image that I would enjoy immensely. Painting with light.
Opening it up, there were some improvements that could be made, and Steve covered that well. I like both his reposts.
Good to see you posting more, and I am eagerly awaiting your next one
Early morning red squirrel
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Originally Posted by Rachel Hollander
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