Backyard Birding May 8, 2010
Set-up at feeder
Canon 1 DX3 600mm v.3
ISO 1250 F 6.3 SS 1/2500
The whites on lower belly were not blown on RAW (207, 2013, 194), just not much detail there. I did use a luminosity mask but it didn't do much to reveal any detail.
About 80% FF and nothing added or cloned.
Topaz Denoise on BG, levels. Usual LR sliders.
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail
You have a nice set up!
Perch is great, lighting looks terrific.
I wish you did not have the dark bg on the right.
I am not sure what you would bring out with a luminosity mask,
you would not have here now.
Exposure looks perfect.
Are you shooting 2 exposures?
How are you using masks?
Dan, I don't shoot 2 exposures. I use a very basic luminosity mask for highlights. Mike Poole taught me how. Super easy as I could not figure out the more complicated Tony Kruyper stuff .
Brian, I do the basic stuff in LR , export to PS CC and it is the first thing I do. I select the BG and put it on its own layer and then invoke Topaz Denoise. I usually use the "auto" setting but always dial down the sharpening to 5 or less because I don't want anything sharpened in the BG.
Very very rarely, I will run the bird on its own layer and use Denoise. I have not noticed any color issues with export.
Hope this helps,
Gail
Hi Gail ... a stunning shot .
Super simple and so clean , very nice !!
Nice colors and comp is working well .
Regarding the bright parts ... I would ask myself , is there detail visible in real life ??? If yes I would try to get the detail .... if not , why bother ??? I know depending on the light it does vary ....
Just like to raise a general question for all folks here ... it does not seem clear what are those " luminosity masks " good for in image editing .
Sometimes the wording " ran a luminosity mask on the HL " is used . Or you used the wording " use a luminosity mask but I did not do much for reveal detail " ....
Would it not be great if one explains what he/she is doing to get the " potential details " .... the " luminosity mask " alone is doing nothing !!!
In your case the basic luminosity mask cannot help ... as the selected tonal range is way too wide and will effect more than you wish .
Here is a version with slightly more detail in the lighter parts and I lifted the darker side very slightly .
Not ideal as only the web image was available ...WDYT ?
A very handsome frame. Yes, a BOAS, but what a lovely S. I can't comment on the pros and cons of luminosity masks, but I do see a slight improvement in Andreas' RP. Were it mine I might crop from the right to move the bird slightly more out of center and get rid of the dark band, and a bit up from bottom and top to maintain aspect ratio.
The lighting is luminescent, outstanding. Love the tiny cones at the end of the perch, pose of bird, soft background.
The dark band on right could be softened as mentioned. This is a good situation for using a luminosity mask and their are a variety of options with the resultant mask to lighten the area. I tried several of the blend modes and it came up nicely. The feather on the mask can be set so that the change blends in very nicely with the remainder of the background.
Makes me want to set up in my backyard! The rose breasted grosbeaks are back, always a treat.
Good suggestions all and your repost looks good Andreas. Thank you. As I mentioned, my luminosity masking skills are extremely basic but usually do the job. I can see that you have much more finesse than I do with regards to using masks!
Thanks Randy.
Bill- good idea re:crop. I have lots of pixels so it would still maintain good IQ.
Gail
Looking very nice Gail...I absolutely love that perch. Lovely BG colours and the detail on the bird is very nice. Good pose and HA with good colours throughout the frame.
I like BOAS images and this is a beauty Gail. I like the perch, light, IQ, details, pose and composition wise I would crop the dark part of the BG out.
Such a great looking bird captured in beautiful light, Gail. Nice eye contact, fine detail and love that perch with miniature pinecones, plus a lovely background. I would also remove the dark area in BG.