Another Black Headed Gull

[Bill Nuttall]

part of my learning curve to control the shadows and highlights in bright sun light

D750
Nikon 600mm + TC14Ell
f8
ISO 280
1/1600th sec
+0.7 EV
LR/PS

Hampshire UK - this week

[William Dickson]

Pretty cool pic Bill. I like the low POV and the pose on the gull. Nice HA. I would have liked to see more detail on the blacks. Lovely BG with the clear water. Nice work and well done,

Will

[Bill Nuttall]

Pretty cool pic Bill. I like the low POV and the pose on the gull. Nice HA. I would have liked to see more detail on the blacks. Lovely BG with the clear water. Nice work and well done,

Will

Thanks Will - that's what I lost - detail in the blacks - wing tips - I can drag a little out but then "noise"

I am trying to figure this, "don't blow the whites - keep detail in the blacks conundrum" - especially in different light which is never quite ideal, (for me anyway)

[Karen Pleasant]

The histogram is your friend! A quick check will tell you if you have captured the tonal range or clipped either the whites or blacks. I peek at the histogram on my LCD to make sure I have the exposure dialed in at my desired aperture and shutter speed. Then I can concentrate on composition.

You are really getting the hang of it!

[Jonathan Ashton]

The detail is excellent the blacks in the tail are a little heavy. There are lots of tutorial on you tube that can help. The purists will throw their hands up in horror but a good starting point is Shadows Highlights in Photoshop. The thing to remember is select a little and you can do quite a lot or select a lot and do quite little, also check Mid tone contrast carefully. It is intuitive you will soon get the hang of it then move on to curves and masks more sophisticated methods etc

[Grace Scalzo]

You have picked a tough task for yourself with trying to get good highlights and shadows on a white and black bird in tough light. I mostly avoid it, as it seems as if something always has to give. That being said, get as close to each side with your histogram and then be prepared to do some post processing. Your bird here looks very respectable.

[gail bisson]

Grace has echoed my thoughts exactly! I put my camera away as soon as the light gets harsh ( ~ 9:00 AM to 10 AM depending on the season). Hard to do sometimes when the action is good but definitely worth it.
Nothing more frustrating than a great shot in crappy light - be it harsh or dull.
Gail

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Agree with Grace and Gail.
For birds with lots of white, overcast days are best, if you've missed the gentler light of the morning or afternoon.
Nice frame though Bill.
Good pose and IQ looks fine.
Well done, keep it up mate.
TFS

[Bill Nuttall]

Thanks folks, I realise that the light was against me and my shooting position was somewhat fixed ……….. but I only had a few hours and I take every opportunity I can to observe and photograph birds, (especially when the alternative was "shopping" with my wife)