Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: White-capped Albatross

  1. #1
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Emerald, VIC, Australia
    Posts
    26
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default White-capped Albatross

    Name:  White-capped-Albatross-close-up-BIF-BPN.jpg
Views: 65
Size:  318.9 KB

    I spent last Sunday on a pelagic at the continental shelf off Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia. The birds are attracted to the boat using a berley. It was truly amazing seeing and photographing such magnificent seabirds up close. This is my favourite image of a White-capped Albatross in flight.

    If you think it's easy getting good images on a rocking boat in the southern ocean ... it isn't :) I set VR to "Active".

    http://www.birdingwildlifetours.com....page=portfairy

    I have some images of other seabirds I'd also like to share over the next week or two.

    Thanks for looking.


    Nikon D800E
    AF-S
    70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II + TC-14E II, 280mm
    HH

    ISO 640, 1/4000 sec at f/8
    Cropped for composition, Nik TC & DE, removed some specular highlights on the bill

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Gibraltar
    Posts
    1,521
    Threads
    161
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nicely done. Well focused around facial area, beak and breast. I like the composition here and with a wingspan this long its a tough choice on how to crop

    I would like to see a version with shadows raised a bit more under the wing. If it is close to full frame you should have quite a bit of room to manouver on the raw file

    TFS

  3. #3
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Emerald, VIC, Australia
    Posts
    26
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Name:  White-capped-Albatross-close-up-BIF-BPN-repost.jpg
Views: 54
Size:  334.1 KB

    Here is the repost with the shadows raised (maxed) in LR. I had to mask out the eye and brow as it lifted that area too much. What do you think?

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Gibraltar
    Posts
    1,521
    Threads
    161
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Looks a bit better Mark. There is so much you can do with this one without bringing in unwanted noise or the colours looking washed out.

    The important bits are well in focus and nicely lit. You have composed it to draw attention there which is good.

    Keep up the good work!

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice capture! What a gorgeous and noble face these guys have! Would love to see more!

    The RP brings out a bit more detail under the wing. There is a bit of a blue cast -- would be interesting to play with the Temp slider in raw conversion, or Color Balance in PS. Removing a color cast can also often bring out more detail.

  6. #6
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Emerald, VIC, Australia
    Posts
    26
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Name:  White-capped-Albatross-close-up-BIF-BPN-Repost-2.jpg
Views: 42
Size:  352.0 KB

    Here is the RP with the blue colour cast corrected. I agree - it does seem to bring out additional detail.

    Thanks Shane & Diane. Loving the forum and learning so much with each image I post.

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Gibraltar
    Posts
    1,521
    Threads
    161
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This last post is the best out of the three! Well done. The face/beak looks even sharper for some reason

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Southwest Ohio
    Posts
    772
    Threads
    73
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Amazing shot! Love the eye!

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Fixing the color cast has really made an improvement here. It brought contrast up, which gives a look similar to sharpening.

  10. #10
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Well done Marc! I see great improvement from the OP to the RP and love to see you experimenting! The BG is spotless and subject stands out so well, lovely detail and I love those water droplets - super shot, looking forward to the next

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  11. #11
    BPN Member Jim Keener's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Idyllwild, California
    Posts
    499
    Threads
    59
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    One of the things I admire about this photograph and the responses you have gotten is that it helps me learn that a good shot can be made even better. I especially like the imaginative cropping and am eager to see more of your birds.

  12. #12
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Emerald, VIC, Australia
    Posts
    26
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes this forum really is an excellent way to learn. I'll try and post some more seabird images soon thanks Jim.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics