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Thread: Macaw: Lots of Learning!

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    Default Macaw: Lots of Learning!

    Shot at a local zoo

    Shooting Info: Canon EOS 70D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II, f/5, 1/400 sec, ISO 320
    Name:  Macaw_3243.jpg
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    Last edited by arash_hazeghi; 05-25-2021 at 02:25 AM.

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    Hi Eric. Wow...that's a stunner. Love the amount of detail you've captured here, and the colours really pop! Just thinking that cropping a little bit more off the RHS to eliminate the bird's wing part showing would be my only suggestion. TFS

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Eric, a nice head shot and agree with Paul on cropping a little off the RHS to loose the wing creeping in. The slight head turn to the viewer helps and have a clean backdrop separates the subject nicely. There is some nice detail in the main body plumage, but hidden I feel where you have perhaps pushed the reds, both beak & face can do with some selective exposure just to pull that detail out, likewise a bit more selective sharpening on the eye. Just watch you blacks don't go too dark in the shadows, again concealing detail & clarity. The framing/choice of crop works, remember to add if you have cropped or the image is FF, it does help. In addition, the file has an embedded RGB colour profile, you need to change this to sRGB for all web or projected images after cropping, but then Save As, do not Save unless you give the file a different name.

    TFS
    Steve
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    Eric, beautiful look at this Macaw!

    I agree with Steve totally on both saturation/brightness of the reds (masking some good detail there) as well as the underexposed face. Often, with backlit or rim lit photos to get the brighter feathers exposed well we underexpose the face or shadow areas and that requires some post work. Selective screening and/or dodging can help.

    The points on crop are noted, I'm just not sure cropping to remove the wing will allow the pano crop to suffice but worth a shot.

    Overall a great canvas to work with. TFS!

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    Thanks for the feedback. I have changed the cropping and it does look better without the part of the wing showing. For post-processing, I need to learn how to do selective exposure as I mainly do simple levels adjustments. Regarding the embedded RGB color profile, I wasn't aware of that and will always remember it; but I did some googling and hopefully, I have correctly converted the image to sRGB. Appreciate your feedbacks a lot!
    Name:  Macaw_3243 copy.jpg
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    Hi Eric, looks like you have mastered the embedded issue, well done. The RP is better, but I still think you can push the face & bill a bit more and sharpening, but that depends on how sharp the raw is. The 7D may not be the most forgiving camera body, although in Dan C's hands he just nails it, but perhaps upping your ISO to 800 to increase the SS may also have helped?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Nice and sharp. Detail is excellent. That red and greeen go great together.

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    Hi Eric, Zoos are excellent places to practice your skills. The repost is much better but the REDS on top of the head are still quite hot ... I tired adding CYAN to the REDs in Selective Color but that only helped a little. If you would like to send me the raw file by large file server I'd love to take a crack at it. Head angle and sharpness are spot-on. I am not a fan of the blue halo atop the bird's head.

    with love, artie
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    Hi Arthur, it would be my honor to have you process the photo. I'm sending you the raw file via email.

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    Hi Eric,

    Better late than never :) I converted the image in Adobe Camera Raw. To tone down the REDS I reduced the Luminance of the REDs by 6 and increased the Luminance of the ORANGEs by 3, those under the Color Mixer tab. Under the Basic tab I went -9 on the Highlights and +20 on the Shadows. I kept the original crop because I like the wing in the frame. Once in Photoshop, the key was to add 12 points of CYAN to the RED channel. Everything above (plus tons more) is detailed in Digital Basics II. See more below on Topaz DeNoise.

    When I get a good internet connection I will send you the master file.

    with love, artie

    ps: It looks as if the top of he head is much better :)
    Last edited by Arthur Morris; 06-05-2021 at 08:05 AM.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Where it needed to be Artie, nice RP!
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Topaz DeNoise AI

    As with almost every image I process, this image was run through Topaz DeNoise AI as the first step after being converted. I use Low Light for this one. For images made in sunny conditions, I use DeNoise (that is now called Standard) without even comparing.

    Great Topaz News!

    Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link. Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.

    with love, artie
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Where it needed to be Artie, nice RP!
    Thanks, Steve! You are fast.

    with love, a
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)

    The clean-up techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
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    You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.

    To purchase Capture One, please use this link. Then you can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.
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    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










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    Thanks a ton Artie! I knew that membership is all worth it. I am learning a lot from the master himself!

    Thanks for taking your time in looking into improving my photo.

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