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Thread: Migrating Long-billed Dowitcher

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    Default Migrating Long-billed Dowitcher

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    One more Dowitcher taken last Sept in Nd. Processed with Dpp 4 Photoshop, Topaz. Added some to the rear could have gotten away with just wanted to add some. Took out a white bird in the upper left and did some work on the eye in the reflection. Should have backed off on that some. Comments and critiques appreciated.
    Canon 1DX 111
    500 f/4 L Is
    700 mm
    Av 6.3
    1/2500
    Iso 1000

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Kevin, I suspect the light was golden and you wanted to have complimentary colours - which look pleasing but for my personal taste the image is too yellow. I adjusted the white balance to give neutral colours and to my eye it looks better but I appreciate that may be exactly what you do not wish. Good details in the bird, I may be tempted to lower the brightness of the belly a little.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Kevin:

    Great shooting angle, like the ripples. I do agree with Jon about the color cast. I am on board with using color to invoke a mood or to reflect the circumstances, but I liked a slightly more neutral rendering as well here.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I like the framing Kevin and the low POV, and behavioural aspect, but even with some 'Golden Light', there seems little separation to define some of the nice plumage that is hidden. The head looks quiet crunchy (Topaz/Sharpening?) and there seems to be some BKG colour overlapping the arch of the back plumage. HL's as mentioned do need addressing a little. A yes to leaving the eye, as you said.

    TFS
    Steve
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    Love the entire canvas as is. Low POV, details, reflection and water all spot on for me. TFS

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Kevin nice golden light ... in this frame .
    Low POV , pose of the subject and the water ripples are really good .
    The BG is showing some artifacts ( posterization ?? ) and the back of the bird has no contrast , but softness .... ??!!! Looks like some brush work or masking issue .
    I do agree with Steve about the head , detail does look a bit coarse .

    TFS Andreas

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    The colours work for me....may reduce the yellows but just a wee bit...I agree the head is a wee bit crunchy but well worth revisiting for sure....Looking forward to your RP

    Will

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    I like the light, calm water, ripples, composition and behavior. I noticed the back of the bird and BG issue before reading the others comments. Nice image Kevin and it's worth a revisit.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    The back of the bird looks fine to me. I love the low perspective but agree that the golden light somehow got ugly. The biggest problem for me here is that the bird is angled a bit away from you ...

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