I shot this Picture in Anahauc National Wild refugee, TX. This is common Nighthawk resting on the branch and took this shot by getting as close to it as possible. I was little afraid that it might bite me. This was shot in mid day (Cloudy day saved me) and it seemed to be really tired which is also why I did not go much closure. It was right next to the tree along the board walk, resting on a branch full of leaves. I tried to take the shot which out disturbing the leaves and wanted to the eye to be in focus.
This is probably my first shot in which no cropping was done, as I liked the shot as it is.
Post processing:-
Lightroom:-
Whites +25
Blacks +11
Clarity +25
Vibrance +23
Sharpening
Adobe Elements:-
Increase Contrast
Increase Brightness
Levels Adjustment
Nik Define - Noise reduction.
Let me know your thoughts on the same.
Last edited by Krishna Prasad kotti; 05-03-2016 at 09:01 PM.
Interesting shot with the "shoot through" of the leaves. I like the lighter vignette effect of that. Looks very sharp with good feather detail and tonalities and a unique sleepy look.
I might take a little off the right but no big deal. Maybe a better choice you made to let the wingtip feather come to an end before the edge of the frame.
Nice work to get so close with no cropping. But what was the camera and lens, and settings? I do think PP information is more important here, though -- glad you included that. Instead of moving whites and blacks right, how does it compare to move exposure right first?
Probably not critical, but I would have increased brightness and contrast in LR before going to PS. OK to do it there is you have done extensive cloning or other work in PS and then decide to change the basic histogram. But always best to do it with the extra overhead of LR or ACR.
great job finding one of these perched, and getting so close without disturbing it! I love the detail and patterns in the feathers, and that tiny bill! wow!
I have never seen this bird before so I am really excited with this picture. Good job getting that focus through the leaves. I think you are careful enough to cut enough of the tails to make it not look like being clipped. I would try dodging the dark OOF BG on the UL corner.
A very curious bird, with tiny little bill that seems way to small. I like his sleepy eyes and his camo feathering. The OOF leaves sort of frame him. Nice job!
Krishna,I feel you have done incredibly well here,just spotting this bird is huge: that camo is so good. I love the shot can't advise at all on how to to get more from it ,but personally there is little I would change,and certainly wouldn't want to crop it.
Absolutely wonderful for me to view I have a hunch that little beak might look somewhat different when open
ThanKs so much for posting this what a cracking bird to see up close stunning !
Common NightHawk
