Skywalker

[Dilom Ski]

The art of skywalking is not reserved only for Luke Skywalker.This Great Egret can do it too



Nikon d7000 + Nikkor 500mm P + Nikon tc-14b
f5,6 - 1/1250 800 ISO Manual focus

Levels adjustment, little saturation and sharpness in post.

[Diane Miller]

A very interesting shot, and not easy to capture in all that grass. Very nice job with manual focus! (Probably the only way to avoid focus on the grasses.) Sharpness shows most in the feet, and the face must be in the same plane of focus, but detail there is a little lost in the resolution limits. That's just the way egrets are, with their small faces.

I like the ghostly appearance. Wonder if processing could bring out just a little more detail, or maybe just contrast. But maybe that wasn't your aim.

Processing is such a major part of photography these days, so it always helps to include it in any discussion.

[Dilom Ski]

Thank you for the comment.
Sometimes I like to leave the photo more soft and with not so much contrast.Here I tried to put some more contrast, but many parts gets burned, specially the whites.Ofcourse, then I can use the local adjustment brush in Camera raw, but the result should end in something simular like this.Before I wasnt bothered by burnout areas, but lately I pay good attention to them, since I like to have most of the possible detail.
I have already learned something from you, about egrets and herons faces (eyes), which in these types of shots really need a touch of extra sharpening/contrast, due their small size.Thank you again, Diane :)

[Diane Miller]

I almost never use the Contrast slider, but instead adjust the Highlights, Shadows, Whites and Blacks, to stretch out the most detail from the light and dark tones. My default curve is linear (don't remember if that's something I changed) but going to the medium contrast curve will give a little more midtone contrast, as will the Clarity slider. Then lights and darks may need to be backed off a little. It's all a balancing act, but so worth it. Where you wind up is artist's choice, but I'm so glad we have the choices!

[Edward Arthur]

Another brave soul shooting MF. I love it. :)

The shot is a terrific concept. Congrats for that. The overall softness here works for me and I prefer the OP. I'm with Diane on the sharpness issue and would like to see more detail/definition in the face if possible. With MF, it's better to to use only the center focus point (it's more accurate) and track the eyes/face.