This was taken at my set up in Costa Rica last month. This Tanager was formerly known as a Scarlet-rumped Tanager, the name that I personally prefer. I know the shutter speed and blacks aren't ideal but I hope you enjoy the image.
Nikon D500
150-600 @ 600mm
f6.3
1/125s
ISO 1250
Fill Flash
Tripod
Last edited by Jim Crosswell; 12-26-2017 at 10:26 PM.
Hi Jim. A great looking bird, with a great pose, nice perch and background. I tried to photograph this species, and his cousin the Passerini's Tanager, some years ago in Costa Rica, and didn't succeed nearly as well as this. I found it nearly impossible to open up the blacks without blowing the reds. I think you came pretty close. If there were time (which, of course, there never is) stacking two different exposures might have helped in my case.
Hi Jim, beautiful bird and image... wish it were mine. I thought there was more detail lurking in the darks so I gave it a go in Lightroom. My apologies if you wish I had not, and I will remove if so. Thank you for sharing.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Thanks for the comments Bill, Jonathan and Joe. Joe I have no problem with anyone redoing an image of mine. I did a similar version before posting but found it to be to unnatural to the reality of the blacks. These birds look stark black with a really contrasting red rump. Thanks again for presenting an alternative and feel free to do so in the future.
Hi Jim,
These birds are beautiful and so difficult to photograph.I agree with you that they are very black.
You have a great subject, lovely parallel to the sensor pose and a good BG (needs a bit more NR)and perch.
Yes to more details in the blacks but not a deal breaker for me.
Gail
Jim and Bill and others, I like both versions, or maybe somewhere in between for the BLACKs. The trick with the REDs with images like this is to go to Selective Color and add 60-90 points of CYAN, yes, 60-90 points of CYAN to the REDs. As detailed in Digital Basics II ...
with love, artie
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Cherrie's Tanager
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