Dirty Bubble Gum Colored Legs

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image of a Black-necked Stilt at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. I guess the reference to bubble gum color dates me but to those of a younger age, bubble gum when I was growing up was that color. Those times were simpler. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED, camera and lens supported by a monopod
1/2000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV -2/3 ISO 180 Auto 1 WB, image captured at 400mm
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2020 and Neat Image for noise reduction, removed smudges from out of focus vegetation from the background, I tried to remove the dirt from the legs but did not like the outcome so I left that untouched because this was one of a nesting pair and the dirt came from sitting on the eggs
Cropped for composition and presentation

P.S. Learn more about Circle B Bar Reserve in the BAA Middle Florida Photography Site Guide that Artie and I co-authored. It is available at this link The BAA Middle of Florida Site Guide

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joe, no idea if they do one for the lens, but a 'drop-in' CPL filter would be good for this and bring a nice depth of blue to the water and the pose/angle. I don't mind the cut off reflection, but the dark grey plumage looks a bit odd, likewise the whites on the stomach, very grainy/coarse??? Is this down to PP? Why do you use NI with ISO of 180, leave it off the image would be better.

I tried to remove the dirt from the legs but did not like the outcome so I left that untouched because this was one of a nesting pair and the dirt came from sitting on the eggs

A wise move Joe, good idea to leave it in, it's all part of the story/nature.

TFS
Steve

[David Roach]

Yes Joe, the barber shop trip meant a choice at our barber of either Dum Dum lollipop or Dubble Bubble gum. Thought I was in heaven... Wonderful EXP and water BG to show off this beauty. TFS

[Bill Dix]

I guess it dates me too. I always call these legs 'bubble-gum' color. This shows them very well. Beautiful pose from this elegant bird.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Joe, no idea if they do one for the lens, but a 'drop-in' CPL filter would be good for this and bring a nice depth of blue to the water and the pose/angle. I don't mind the cut off reflection, but the dark grey plumage looks a bit odd, likewise the whites on the stomach, very grainy/coarse??? Is this down to PP? Why do you use NI with ISO of 180, leave it off the image would be better.



A wise move Joe, good idea to leave it in, it's all part of the story/nature.

TFS
Steve

Hi Steve, thank you for viewing and commenting. Reading your comments I knew how to fix the image, less sharpening and less post processing. Sometimes I get wrapped up in a image and do too much. Here is a repost... better?

[Brian Sump]

Joe, such a nice image.

May I ask if you masked the bird in this one?

There is a weird silhouette around certain parts (behind the neck and around the belly) on my screen.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Joe, such a nice image.

May I ask if you masked the bird in this one?

There is a weird silhouette around certain parts (behind the neck and around the belly) on my screen.

Hi Brian, thank you for viewing and commenting. No masking used on the image. I looked again at the image I see a what may be a sharpening halo on the belly area. I will look at the image again and maybe back off the sharpening or lower the sharpening radius. I try not to do a lot of masking or selections, tedious work to get a perfect selection and much the same with a mask.

[Brian Sump]

Hi Brian, thank you for viewing and commenting. No masking used on the image. I looked again at the image I see a what may be a sharpening halo on the belly area. I will look at the image again and maybe back off the sharpening or lower the sharpening radius. I try not to do a lot of masking or selections, tedious work to get a perfect selection and much the same with a mask.

Ok Joe. Utmost respect....

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joe, the RP is slightly better, but you have lost some of the depth/detail in the legs. In addition why are you using NR and what do you feel is improving the image by doing so, just trying to understand why folk use it at such low ISO's when there is NO noise..

If you have time, can you drop me a line with what you did in the PP, in simple terms and your sharping. As I will endeavour to see if we can hone some of those adjustments.

Cheers
Steve

[John Mack]

Looks great against that still blue water. Did you try for any verticals with a full reflection? I like the framing and how the one toe is barely touching the water.

[dankearl]

I always love a good Stilt photo, this is nice.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ah yes the Bazooka bubble gum, complete with Bazooka Joe cartoon strips inside the wrappers! The colour does match the legs! I like the image, but the IQ is not there in the OP. on the RP, the IQ is better, but needs a bit more sharpening. Good leaving the muck on the legs. When it's just a few specks I do tend to remove that, but when all-out dirty I leave it in.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Ah yes the Bazooka bubble gum, complete with Bazooka Joe cartoon strips inside the wrappers! The colour does match the legs! I like the image, but the IQ is not there in the OP. on the RP, the IQ is better, but needs a bit more sharpening. Good leaving the muck on the legs. When it's just a few specks I do tend to remove that, but when all-out dirty I leave it in.

Hi Dan, thank you for viewing and commenting. Maybe three's a charm. I worked on the image again since the last posting.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joe, yes the haloing is better, but still visible. Yes there is away to address these halos and quiet simple within PS, but the best way to avoid all of this is to have a better sharpening regime.