I have finally managed to gain the confidence of the older birds. Weather has been a mixture of frequent, scuddy rain with hot sun and high humidity. This old butcher bird was drying and preening after being caught in a down pour just after 11.am. The older birds are usually vivid black and white, but they are moulting and their feathers have become dull and ratty. But they're the only birds who want to play with me at the moment!
In ACR - Exposure increased by a 1/2 stop, highlights -84, Blacks +6 A touch of vibrance and clarity.
In PSCS6 - 1 curves adjustment layer and a vibrance layer. Cropped to 60% of FF. NR over BG and smart sharpened for posting.
Looks good! Nice back view and head turn! Great on getting close! It does make a difference in IQ doesn't it. The OOF euc leaf isn't great, but you may not have had a choice where to position. Might be possible to remove it -- going back to the uncropped version there is enough room you might be able to use the Patch Tool nicely.
Do you find things steadier and easier to get a focus point on the eye with the tripod? Not good for long walks, though.
If by Blacks +6 you mean to the right -- did you try increasing exposure a touch more and lightening Shadows instead of going right with the Blacks? But it may only be a microscopic difference. Just a thought...
Have you tried some variants on WB with the eyedropper in LR? I don't know the bird but is it maybe leaning a little toward blueish?
You wouldn't believe it....I tied that little OOF eucalypt branch on for a bit of variety. Nice try..no cigar.
Tripod is working nicely, thank you. I keep the bottom swivel thing loose and the uppy downy handle loose so I can maneuver around a bit quicker. If I put it over my shoulder it's not so bad. I'm thinking of making a shoulder pad.
Yes. I could have exposed a little more. I'm trying to work things out by looking at the histogram and the little triangles in the top corners that change colour. I did try the eye dropper; which I like to do all the time now...just to see.
Yes. He does look a tad on blue side. His nice black feathers have been washed out through the age of them and little, white fluffy bits are poking through, making the black look even more dull. But, yes, a tad blue.
Steve, I start to think about the noise I seem to get in the blacks and the whites overblown. Time was after 11 am and quite sunny. Do you think the IQ looks crook in this image? Jim - Thank you...and yes the hook is unique to these birds, hence the name "butcher". I'm going to untie that bloody leaf now!
You're the one who can tell about the IQ -- at 100%. Very difficult to judge in a JPEG here, unless it's really awful, which this one isn't.
A subject with blacks and whites is going to be difficult to impossible in full sun. Bad enough in soft light.
I've read several places to avoid intermediate ISOs due to the way the camera handles gain to create them. Stick with 100, 200, 400, 800 for best results. And expect any lifting of shadows to show noise. That camera is excellent to 800 and maybe more if you can ETTR.
Just move the leaf into the plane of focus! (Or move you so it is...) It's a great idea, just needs a little work!
Thanks Diane. I'm getting to the point in my learning that I will not post something that I know isn't good at 100%. I think you mentioned to Jim about the intermediate ISOs. I will try to remember that.
These birds have become so familiar with me, that I've decided to train them...with a bit of food. I'm pretty sure they will sit on any stick, so long as there is a snack involved. I need to find some better props and BGs. I hope you don't get get sick of the same species, but they are good to practice on!
Glennie, I love that you are doing this. Honing your skill methodically. There is a spiritual quality to it. And sone fun, I hope. Your interaction with the birds must be very rewarding.
What Jim said! No way I'll get tired of this bird. Just change the stick occasionally....
I put out a small scoop of bird seed every morning and now every time I walk out of the house (at any time of day) 5-6 species come running. Some mornings when I first look out the kitchen window there are several different ones pacing around and waiting impatiently.
I am late to this party after a busy weekend. But, I really like the composition of the bird. I think this is a very effective portrait of the bird. I agree with the OOF leves both at the top and at the bottom but I know removing it might require downing a glass of whiskey, or two, afterwards. Thanks for sharing, Glennie!
The Old Butcher
