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Thread: Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

  1. #1
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Default Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

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    I was quite taken by these two, they were perfectly aware of my presence and it was as if one would keep an eye on me whilst the other one got forty winks.

    Olympus E-M1X
    Focal length in 35 mm film : 1202.0mm (Hand held 300mm lens & MC20)
    Exposure mode : Auto exposure
    Exposure compensation : 0.0 EV
    ISO Sensitivity : 400
    Shutter : 1/100 sec
    Aperture : F8

    ACR/Topaz DNAI/PSCC

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Jon, I like the rock perch (sans some of the droppings) and the resting pose of the subject on left is intriguing enough to receive attention.

    However, I must say that with the subject on right looking away it takes away from the frame for me.

    The bkg is also slightly distracting with the darks and highs in the similar color palette to the subjects. I think if you got more eye contact from the subject on the right it would help. Perhaps consider a touch of warmth too?

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    Love this moment and the image says it all.. The environment adds greatly to interest and spot on EXP as well. It evokes a chuckle with that sneaky glance your way and the wind blown plumage elicits feelings of the shore... TFS

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Jon ... two fluffy balls , lovely to look at .
    Personally I think there is one too much in the frame ... and you know which one I am talking about .
    Looking at your techs .... I think you have been brave to try that making work interns of IQ . Sharpness is not really there , I think .
    BG does look noisy to me ... but I do like overall colors . Lowering the contrast in the BG might help to make the birds stand out .

    TFS Andreas

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Thanks for your comments everyone. I expected a mixed reception but that is fine.
    I know the OOF bird would be either appreciated in terms of my intro (thanks David!) or rejected for compositional reasons.
    Brian and Andreas thanks The noise in the background is inconsequential for me, I agree that reducing contrast there would be a good idea, (I had to work on the birds as you may have guessed!) I did do that in similar previous images, I will have to remember for future submissions. The SS was slow because I wanted a sharp eye and some feather movement, the techs are deliberate, I vary them, so long as the head can be still momentarily I am in with a chance, I have no reservations over camera movement even at 1200mm - just the subject has to be still for a tiny time and if I am firing at 18fps the chances are I will get some and lose some/many..... but it doesn't matter does it?

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Ok Jon .... thanks for the additional info . A tripod would help .... and I think the eye will not be sharp at that focal length shooting handheld with that SS , but your call and for sure always worth trying .
    Surprised to see the noise at such low iso ....

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Jon, I would have just gone tighter with the one on the left. Contrast, well drop the dehaze a fraction. SS, if this is an old file OK, if not, then I just don't see the point even with trying to get a bit of motion blur in the feathers. F/8 so with you that's f/11(?) OK, but with the low light the BKG is coarse (surprised at ISO400) and not appealing IMHO, agree that some noise offers a bit more 'authenticity' but it's just a little too much I'm afraid Jon. The backdrop looks right and adds context to the location.

    Jon, isn't there a histogram in the Menu that relates to Clarity, have you tweaked that or is it at factory settings? I know the Menu is a mindfield and very vast so sadly I'm not sure where it is but I know Andy was showing folk who had the kit.

    TFS
    Steve

    Brace yourself for a greater tightening of movements!!!!
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Steve at 1200mm I had no choice regarding aperture, I did use Clarity in conjunction with other contrast modifiers - I think this is what you are referring to. Here is an alternative, I have modified plumage slightly and softened the background.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Well you've taken the blue cast away which is great Jon, plumage may be somewhere between the two, BKG better, but I like to see a bit more darker FG as per the OP but less. I just feel there is too much distance between the two subjects for it to work, but the RP is far better.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Well you've taken the blue cast away which is great Jon, plumage may be somewhere between the two, BKG better, but I like to see a bit more darker FG as per the OP but less. I just feel there is too much distance between the two subjects for it to work, but the RP is far better.
    Thanks Steve, feedback appreciated.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thanks Steve, feedback appreciated.
    Jon, sometimes it's easier to call, as I can get you to try things in real time. Also, this Clarity Histogram, have you found it in the Olympus menu?????
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Not so sure the right bird helps much. But I like the setting.

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