Mergarita

[Brian Sump]

Back on the river last week. Have been trying for some time to capture a good quality Hoodie Drake in flight.

I took a very different route processing this one in terms of contrast as that's usually where I seem to get criticized. I would like to know what you think.

Keep in mind, the most of the rear half of the bird including secondaries (except for leg and lower tail) was slightly shadowed from the light so I put in some work to bring it back. But it will not be equal to the front, which was well lit.

Canon R5
600mm
Handheld
ISO 1250
1/6400
f6.3

LR and PS, DN. Blended a couple bkg spots and cloned a few small bright spots near beak and a weird feather line at bottom.

[John Mack]

Killer. This is one of the best frames of a hooded merganser I've seen in flight. No I stand corrected it is the best frame. Contrast looks fine to me. Nice detail on the bird all around.

[gail bisson]

This is superb.
Perfect wing position, tack sharp and love that BG.
You have a great spot for shooting these ducks.
The overall look is really pleasing.
I have not been following the "contrast" issue in your other images but this looks good to me.
The slight gape in the beak is kinda cool,
Gail

[Volkan Akgul]

hi Brian,

they are great in a row. congratulations

[Jonathan Ashton]

Its a fine shot but the jpeg shows clipping of the darks and lights. I think with a little adjustment this could be a real beauty.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Brian a very very cool flight shot !!!!
Love the wing down stroke .... and the arrow like merganser pose , simply awesome !!! Brilliant fieldwork .

Wondering what you have changed in your processing ??? It has the " same high contrast " appearance that you are favoring ..... .... whether one likes it or not . Bet you like it .... ..... but know my thinking .

Keep them coming

TFS Andreas

[Brian Sump]

John, Gail and Volkan, greatly encouraged by your comments. They are well received, thank you.

Jon and Andreas, appreciate your critique. I still don't fully understand where the contrast concerns lie but I'm willing to keep chipping away.

Here is a version with contrast reduced.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Brian, best hoodie in flight for me! congrats, he is handsome. Amazing the feather definition especially head and neck, this is what I've been missing with my own eyes for years! Love the sheen on the feathers and oh so sharp!

[Kurt Bowman]

Great frame again Brian! The contrast looks good to me as well. I think it’s also a matter of taste. Some people like a tad more, some a tad less. I personally like the amount of contrast this image contains. Keep the great work coming.

[Arthur Morris]

Its a fine shot but the jpeg shows clipping of the darks and lights. I think with a little adjustment this could be a real beauty.

Jon, Correct me if I am wrong; is this accurate?: A JPG that comes from a master file that shows no clipping may show some clipping because JPGs are inherently more contrasty than TIFs.

thanks with love, artie

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Brian .... thanks for being so calm .
Thank you for taking your time and creating an RP with " lower contrast " .... to me it is just simply not my " style or liking " . For my taste still " too heavy" .... blacks still clipped ( in all three channels ) . And I bet .... even the " master file " in tif will show clipping .... just a technical detail , not a question of like it or not .
It is just a matter of taste .... so keep up the good work and your style , you cannot make all happy . Which is good , as we keep the variety in our Art . If we would all have the same taste ..... it would be rather boring .

For my personal interest .... what have you done to the RP , as the histogram shifted very slightly ???!!! And please a bit more detailed .... than " reduced contrast " .

Cheers Andreas

[Arthur Morris]

PPS = perfectly parallel subject. Killer perfect wing position. Contrast looks great as the image really pops. Sharp. Yes, the jpeg is showing clipping-- more with the darks than with the highlights. Colors look great too. Background is very sweet.

with love, a

[dankearl]

Just superb. You are really mastering BIF.

[Brian Sump]

Hi Brian, best hoodie in flight for me! congrats, he is handsome. Amazing the feather definition especially head and neck, this is what I've been missing with my own eyes for years! Love the sheen on the feathers and oh so sharp!

Ann, glad to hear you say that. I have several shots of them but this one was worth waiting for I think. Appreciate your critique!

Great frame again Brian! The contrast looks good to me as well. I think it’s also a matter of taste. Some people like a tad more, some a tad less. I personally like the amount of contrast this image contains. Keep the great work coming.

Kurt, thanks for the comments on contrast. There's a pretty strong division here but you're exactly right, it really comes down to preference. Appreciate your support my friend!

Just superb. You are really mastering BIF.

Dan, thank you for saying. Your encouraging words are well received!

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hey Brian, wonderful image. I echo all the positive comments, I can imagine when working up this image you were stoked. I am in the camp for reduced blacks and contrast, just me. I think the image is seen differently on different computer displays. Different brands on displays, different ability to show colors and tones, different software to calibrated the display. I think you use a NEC display, I use a EIZO, others use Apple or Dell etc... Anyways, lovely image, thank you for sharing.

[William Dickson]

Love this Brian....Here on the iMac the OP looks fantastic....Fab detail and what a great flight pose.....Yer getting better all the time....Great work.

Will