Juvi Tri Color Heron

[Don Lacy]

A friend wanted me to shake down a 7DMKII he was thinking of buying he had ordered one when it first came out but ended up sending it back due to focus issues. He was also disappointed in image quality compared to his 1DX. So I spent an afternoon with it and was able to get some nice images and after working with him on processing the files he decided to keep this copy.

7DMKII, 500f/4, 1/1600 at f/5.6, Manual Mode, Evaluative Metered, ISO 400, Tripod

[gail bisson]

This is a lovely portrait Don.
Perfect HA and I really like the wispy remains of the downy feathers.
IQ is excellent and I like your choice of comp very much.
I am not sure how I feel about the bright diagonal area of bright green in the upper BG. It is a bit distracting but it also gives a spotlight directional effect to the head.I will have to think about it!
Nice mottled colors in the BG.
Gail

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

A mighty fine image Mr. Don. Love the bkg, and your choice of Port/Comp. I do fill the diagonal light band is pulling my eyes somewhat. Regardless.. looks like your 7dmkII shoot was very successful!! IQ, colors, details, along with fine feather details look spot on too me!!
Cheers!!!
Don

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Nice portrait of this heron. I don´t feel bothered by the lighter zone in the BG but you could tone it a bit if you wish. Nice feather detail and shapness.

[Ian Wilson]

Nice work Don. I agree with others that the 'spot light' effect in the background could be toned down. Regards, Ian.

[Marina Scarr]

I am loving the spot light effect in this image and feel the BG rocks and I love the all around color palette. Super job on getting all the details here, although I find some of the plumage a bit oversharpened.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the composition, IQ, hairdo and browns in the BG match the Heron nicely. Well done Don!

[Don Lacy]

I am loving the spot light effect in this image and feel the BG rocks and I love the all around color palette. Super job on getting all the details here, although I find some of the plumage a bit oversharpened.

I struggled on sharpening this the camera has a lot of resolution I ended up at 50 amount and .5 radius on smart sharpen

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice portrait, I like the feathers sticking out of his head! sweet BG too. Just curious do you have a 100% crop of the head area?

TFS

[Don Lacy]

Here you go no sharpening and this was an ACR conversion

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I struggled on sharpening this the camera has a lot of resolution I ended up at 50 amount and .5 radius on smart sharpen

Don, I believe that 0.5 radius is too much, I have learned that 0.3 at 50 amount and a second pass of 0.2 at 15-20 amount gives very good results. I used this combination with my Mark IV and also used it with the 7D II when I had it.

[arash_hazeghi]

Thanks Don, when you say no sharpening does it mean it has ACR default 25 or you set everything manually to zero?

[Don Lacy]

Thanks Don, when you say no sharpening does it mean it has ACR default 25 or you set everything manually to zero?

ACR default masked out

[arash_hazeghi]

ACR default masked out

Thanks Don, I see slight softness and lack of micro contrast, it could be converter related. Looks great at small size though, nice details. TFS

[Satish Ranadive]

Magnificent portrait.
Excellent IQ, wonderful colours and great details.

Regards,
Satish.