A Touch of Sunlight on a Green Heron.

[Jim Keener]

This is the same Green Heron as in my previous posting. This one was made just as the sunlight hit the bird, and the only one I got with direct sun. Salton Sea State Recreation Area, in the harbor, at sunrise.



1DX, 500/4, 1/2000, f/4, ISO 800. Tripod/gimbal mounted. LR, Nik Efex Pro. 50% crop.

I still have a lot to learn, so I very much appreciate your comments.

Walk well.

[Diane Miller]

This is very nice, Jim! I like the perch, although it is not the usual kind here. The pose and exposure look good, but I'm seeing what looks like a lot of noise/grain, especially in the darker feathers to the right of the chest. With that camera and lens, on a tripod and with your other specs, at ISO 800 I would expect a cleaner image.

Did you bring up an underexposure? Or do some sharpening other than the LR default?

I assume the shaded side of the bird was darker than you wanted, especially against the bight BG, so maybe it was increased exposure that brought up some noise. Fill flash can be a great help in situations like this, with a Better Beamer usually giving you enough reach.

[Jim Keener]

Hey Diane, thanks for the comments.



These are the settings in LR. And as you can see, I did bring up exposure quite a bit. What's the best thing to do next? Regards.

[Diane Miller]

These are not extreme adjustments -- except for the Exposure. Bringing up an underexposed image that much is going to bring out noise -- even for the 1DX. On a tripod, if I was expecting the subject to sit still, I'd have gone to whatever settings gave me good exposure for the bird. If time, do a spot meter. Or do M exposure for the light you have, for the best balance between light and dark areas on the bird. The histogram is your light meter, along with blinkies. It's a lot to think about while trying to zero in on a subject but it can become second nature.

We often want to be ready if the bird flies but we need to decide -- OK -- I have a "bird in the hand" sitting here -- do I want to maximize exposure for it or compromise its exposure with high ISO and fast SS in order to be ready if it flies. Tough choice.

[Jim Keener]

Diane, you're very kind to take me through this. I'm going back to the Salton Sea tomorrow and will practice what I've learned. Thank you.

[Daniel Cadieux]

In a situation like this you know you will likely end up with a high-key image so you can crank up the exposure in-camera, even if it means mega blinkies on the BG. You may then need to bring down the exposure (or at very least tone down some areas) in post but you will have preserved the details and ended up with a very clean image.

I love the hunched pose, and the good look at the feet. Interesting perch, I actually like it.

[Jim Keener]

Daniel, I'm grateful for your comments and will learn from them. And as I wrote to Diane, I will practice them tomorrow and tomorrow.