Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Swamp Sparrow with crane flies

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    6,588
    Threads
    643
    Thank You Posts

    Default Swamp Sparrow with crane flies

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I was lucky enough to come upon this parent Swamp Sparrow with a mouthful of crane flies (species?) this evening in the Sackville Waterfowl Park. Swamp Sparrows are deceptively beautiful birds. One of the many delights of photography is that it is capable of bringing this beauty out. BTW, "our" sparrows are really buntings to the Europeans.

    The light was fading so I had to make the best of a bad situation. I'm not that happy with the head angle but this was the sharpest one I had. I cloned some branches from above the bird and did some selective sharpening around the eye before an overall sharpen at the end of processing. Reduced noise and did some burning and dodging to even out BG and highlights on perch.

    Comments welcome.

    40D, 500 mm f4, 1.4 tc
    capture date: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:07:45 PM
    exposure program: Aperture Priority
    ISO speed: 640
    shutter speed: 1/125
    aperture: f5.6
    exposure bias: -0.3
    metering: Pattern
    flash: ON, -1, Beamer
    tripod, Mongoose 3.5 head
    Last edited by John Chardine; 06-12-2008 at 09:17 PM.

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice creamy BG and I like the transition from soft rear, right, and bottom of the bird to the nice sharpness of the upper chest and face. I agree with you on the simple, pleasing look of these birds. Don't know what kind of crane flies those are but they look like they would taste nasty.
    Steve

  3. #3
    Robert Amoruso
    Guest

    Default

    John,

    I would have like to see more DOF here but you were working at the extremes due to fading light so that's OK. I downloaded and sharpened the face some more so recommend you go and give it some more selective sharpening. The bright streak on the right is a bit distracting. Since you mentioned working on the BG, I recommend you select it and reduce its opacity.

  4. #4
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    Well done considering the low light. I would give it more room and agree with Robert's comments.

  5. #5
    Dave Slaughter
    Guest

    Default

    This is a great picture. In my opinion sparrows are very underrated, and I think their muted browns and grays are every bit as attractive as a gaudy bird like a goldfinch. It astounds me how many insects they can catch and hold at one time. I agree the light streak in the background would best be toned down but apart from that nitpicking observation I think this is an exceptional photograph. Thanks for sharing.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics