Willet in Breeding Plumage

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

I shot this during high tide in Bolivar Flats, TX. I drove to the place on day when the weather prediction was Severe Thunderstorms. I drove after it stopped raining. When I reached the beach it was completely full of water. I was really happy to see lot of activity on the beach Willet, Sanderling and piping plovers having fun in the beach. I went into the beach and go down really low and took this shot with my camera on Skimmer pod.

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/800 sec, Manual Mode

Post processing using the following changes

• Minimal Cropping
• Raising Shadows
• Increase Tonality, Vibrance, Clarity etc
• Noise Reduction and Sharpening
• Add little Vignetting

Let me know your comments on the same.

[Michael Thompson]

Nice shot Krishna! You really got it nice and sharp for a dark day! Love the low angle too. Not sure about the dark on the top, especially on the left side, maybe a little more space behind the bird if possible , and trim some off the right side... ~MT

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Nice shot Krishna! You really got it nice and sharp for a dark day! Love the low angle too. Not sure about the dark on the top, especially on the left side, maybe a little more space behind the bird if possible , and trim some off the right side... ~MT

Thank you for the Comments. I added a bit of vignetting (odd habit of mine which needs to be stopped ) which made the left side dark. I was thinking about the same after posting the image. This is un cropped image. I only cropped the bottom half. I will remove the vignetting.

[Michael Thompson]

Thank you for the Comments. I added a bit of vignetting (odd habit of mine which needs to be stopped ) which made the left side dark. I was thinking about the same after posting the image. This is un cropped image. I only cropped the bottom half. I will remove the vignetting.

Cool! you must have been nice and close? what lens did you use?

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Cool! you must have been nice and close? what lens did you use?

Yeah I was really close to the birds. I was wearing a camo and was flat on the ground that really helped. I was so close that couple of Sanderlings came really too close and could not take some shots.

I used Sigma 150-600mm Sports lens.

Thanks
krishna

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

I cropped out the top part which kind of feels like distraction to the viewers eye. Let me know which one is better.



Thanks
Krishna

[Glennie Passier]

Very, very nice Krishna. I like your repost, but still I would prefer a little more room behind the bird and probably just a little more on top. Maybe mid way through the orange and then paint/clone it out. I feel it needs a little CW rotation? Any chance of lightening the eye just a little.

How did you find the skimmer pod? Does it push through the sand/mud OK? I bet you got some funny looks!

Looking forward to seeing some more!

[Andrew Harrell]

Krishna: Looks good!! You are dedicated if you were laying down in the wet sand to get these shots!! Agree with others about moving the bird forward so we get a little more space behind it. Lovely, lovely soft background. I know someone might ask you to add a catchlight for the eye -- this is something I need to learn how to do as well.

Really nice, sharp shot -- a keeper!!


AP

[Adhika Lie]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the repost. I think you have enough head room but I also think you need more room at the back (which shouldn't be too hard to extend in this situation, I would think).

Yeah, how do you like the skimmer pod? I have never really used them before, but I have heard many people using it...

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Thank you all for the Kind Comments.

I fell in love with Skimmer pod. I would say this is the best piece of equipment I brought. It gives you great perspective provided you are happy to get low. You will get all wet and muddy but I did not mind it one bit (My wife was not pleased though ... )

I was wearing camo dress with Skimmer Pod. I was really patient with it just lied flat down with my head parallel to the camera. I had knee and elbow pads which got damaged and were unusable. I will get new ones. I had lens coat for the sigma lens (Camo). I tried to blend in as much as I can.

My only regret for the day was I only shot for couple of hours, because of high tide. While I as returning back I saw American Ostercather. I decided against spending more time which I regret after watching these images.

I got some great shots (By my standards). I am still processing them one by one. My Sigma lens seems to back/front focus a lot, so I sent it Sigma for for fixing it.

Next 3 months are my last days in Texas. I am moving to Utah not sure if I will get chance to shoot shorebirds there. I intend to maximize it. I will be going again this weekend and this time I will be using my nikon 300 f/4 lens with 1.4x Teleconvertor. Lets see how it goes.

Can you guys point me to any tutorials/ videos which helps in adding some light to the eyes and extending some space to the left of the bird. I always tend to do minimal post processing in my shots which is something I need to work on.

Thanks
Krishna

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Hi All,

As per the comments, I cloned out the top and added a bit of space towards the left of the bird. Let me know your comments on the same.

[Andrew Harrell]

BAM!! BINGO!! Yeah, you nailed it on the re-post!

Can't wait to see more shots!


AP

[Adhika Lie]

That's a beautiful repost, Krishna! For what it's worth, although you will find a different kind of experience shooting in Utah, I am sure you will equally enjoy that! :)

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Thank you all for the comments

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Thank you all for the feedback. I learned a lot from this post. I am closing this one.