First Open Post

[Lance Peters]

Hi - Well this is my first post in the open forums - please dont let that discourage you from HONEST critiques (I am happy to take all advice I can get)

I took this last weekend at one of Australia's premier bird spots (Melbourne Water's Western treatment plant)

Whistling Kite

D3
Sigma 300-800 Zoom @ 800 mm. (Using car window as support)
1/2500th
F5.6
0EV
400 ISO

Removed a couple of background distractions via QM in PS. Sharpened a little ( Seems to be very easy to over sharpen this subject)

Thanks

Lance

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome to BPN, Lance! Very nice first post. I like the light open beak and BG. There is a sharpening halo around bird and perch. I would reduce the contrast for more details in the blacks and crop a bit off the top. Keep them coming!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Alex - thanks heaps mate - I will rework and repost tonight (started work already - your suggestions make a huge improvement)

Lance

[Lana Hays]

Lance
Axel did a great job of critiquing.....and it will make a big difference. The basics are there........and I like the setting....and the bird with open beak. I'll look for your repost tonight.

[Robert Amoruso]

Welcome Lance,

Take a look at Artie Morris' recommendations for creating a JPG for posting at http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ead.php?t=5598. About 2/3rds the way down, see Free Excerpt....

[Lance Peters]

I - ok made some adjustments - this time with my glasses on! Really must remember to wear them - my eyes are not what they used to be.

went back to the raw file and did some adjustments via shadows /highlights in P.S. also reshrpened.

lance

[Lance Peters]

Robert - thanks for the link - awesome.

lance

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The repost looks much better, well done!

[Lana Hays]

Lance
I like the repost much better. Now....you still need to work on those halos. If you select just the bird/perch to sharpen, then you won't get the halos. Also....it will prevent sharpening in the BG that can cause noise.

[Lance Peters]

another shot at it, Lana I cannot see the halos you are reffering to, maybe my monitor?? or I am just not lookin gin the right place.


also converted to SRGB.
Thanks

Lance

[Lana Hays]

Lance
Look specifically at the areas of the dark feathers where they touch the light BG in the tail feathers. I see a very narrow "white" halo. That halo develops when a dark area touching a light area are sharpened a lot. If just the bird is selected and then only it sharpened, the halo doesn't develop.

[Gus Cobos]

Welcome back Lance...:D How was your vacation? good I hope...:cool: Your composition is great...I like your secound re-post...:) It looks much better than the first. I would also take off the top of the frame just a wee bit. The eye is sharp and the details are there...good job my friend...:D:cool: