Bright light loon - joys of wide dynamic range

[Randy Stout]

This fellow was imaged several years ago in northern Michigan. In times past, I would have been off the lake much earlier, but the dynamic range of the D4 allowed me to shoot later in the day and still manage the demands of a black and white bird.

D4 600VR TC14II f/6.3 1/1250s ISO 400. Mounted on pedestal in my little boat.

Post: Slight rotation for leveling, selective sharpening, cleaned up the catchlight, cropped for comp ( mainly from bottom)

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Jess M. McKenzie]

Thanks for a great image, Randy. Black, white, green are a perfect combination.
(Can you describe the boat set-up?)

[Randy Stout]

Jess:

12 ft Jon boat, seat on floor with camera mounted on a boat seat pedestal with Wimberley II. I actually don't have any images of the setup unfort. I have tried kayaks, but didn't feel comfortable with a big rig in one.
Because loons are always moving, you need to be able to move with them, so I use a remote control trolling motor.

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Great image, randy. love the textures, details and the exposure is perfect. I would have had more canvas at the top and bottom if it had been mine but it is personal taste.

[Grace Scalzo]

The darks are like velvet and the whites filled with detail. Wonderful image, Randy.

[shane shacaluga]

Another beauty! Wouldnt know which one to select from your many loon pics

Agree with comments above, exposure, details and green FG/BG are so good!

[John Robinson]

Yes another great loon job. Water texture and colours spot on.
John

[Bill Dix]

One of many superb loon shots. Keep 'em coming. All is said above. I hadn't realized that you used a remote controlled trolling motor -- makes a lot of sense. I've tried paddling to align a boat (canoe or kayak) with a moving loon while handling the camera, and it just doesn't work for me. Your rig gets you to the right spot, but it's your photographic skills that get the shot.

[adrian dancy]

Excellent image and one I'd dearly love in my portfolio. The bird aside I love the smooth water.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Randy, you just keep pulling them out of the bag, simply gorgeous.
Perfect low angle, love the side elevation and the catchlight just adds, cracking detail too. I also like the way the reflection tails off nicely.

I just wondered if the 'green' environment looked a little flat, just adding a channel layer blend mode I think just brings a little more life into the frame and avoids the heavy saturation, likewise a Channel Curves adjustment to the quarter/mid tones of the subject, subtle, but I think it brings a bit more depth back into the Blacks. If you arrange them in PS for comparison you can see things better, just a thought.

Cheers
Steve

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments and Steve for the nice repost.

Karl: I usually do leave more room below, but on my last few posts folks have been saying that I left too much, so I trimmed a bit tighter today!

Cheers

Randy

[annmpacheco]

wonderful image indeed Randy, I like the richness of tones throughout and the exposure is right on to showcase this gorgeous loon. Big fan of the BG as well. tops!

[Jonathan Ashton]

I am a little short of words how about superb!

[gail bisson]

Lovely! The head looks like velvet.
I like your comp- such a personal taste thing,
Gail

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely, Randy... about as perfect as it gets. Thank you for sharing.

[Diane Miller]

Velvet head indeed, with silk water!

Would be interesting to compare the version with just a little more below. I really like a reflection to end before the bottom of the frame, although this one has gone so light near the bottom that it's a very small point.

[Grady Weed]

Hi Randy, you just keep pulling them out of the bag, simply gorgeous.
Perfect low angle, love the side elevation and the catchlight just adds, cracking detail too. I also like the way the reflection tails off nicely.

I just wondered if the 'green' environment looked a little flat, just adding a channel layer blend mode I think just brings a little more life into the frame and avoids the heavy saturation, likewise a Channel Curves adjustment to the quarter/mid tones of the subject, subtle, but I think it brings a bit more depth back into the Blacks. If you arrange them in PS for comparison you can see things better, just a thought.

Cheers
Steve

Randy and Steve, I do like the re-post Steve has done. I can see more varied tones in the blacks and greens on the neck. That puts it over the top for me. I love Common Loons, as you know, and this one is the best yet from you Randy. I have not imaged any for some 3 years now. I like your set up in the boat. I still use my Kayak and paddle around the lakes. I rest on the side and scoot down to water level. I want to get a electric trolling motor for my square stern canoe. It would be much easier. TFS. As always your images delight the viewer.

[Jim Crosswell]

A real beauty Randy! I like the low angle, IQ, colors, HA and pose. Repost brings it up a notch for me.

[Ritesh Nangare]

What a beautiful level and the shot here , love Two tone BG and beautiful green soft feel all over the frame...
love the Bird and details ....

[Randy Stout]

Thanks again everyone for the comments added.

Grady: a trolling motor will make your life easier, and your shooting more productive. I can go forwards or backwards while remaining parallel to my loons , which saves a lot of circling around.

Cheers

Randy

[arash_hazeghi]

A very desirable frame Randy, you captured it perfectly. The framing is great IMO

[Frank Schauf]

Great picture, nice deep shooting position and great eye contact.