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Thread: Gannet portrait

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Default Gannet portrait

    Name:  Bemportrait1-BPN.jpg
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    Not shot much this year for various reasons so I thought I'd take my almost brand new (!) R5 to the East coast for some guaranteed easy flight action to try some settings. I'm guessing the thermals were all wrong as the birds stayed well below cliff level in the main, which is really frustrating when you have lovely light and perfect wind direction. So here's a portrait instead!

    Not sure why, but the head looks greyed out here - looks more natural in PS ????

    Canon R5
    600mm f4ii + 1.4xiii
    ISO 2000
    1/1000th f8

    Mike
    Last edited by Mike Poole; 06-11-2021 at 03:35 PM.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Mike:

    I feel your pain about having everything just right, and the birds don't cooperate!

    Like the pale blue orbital feathers, the gray feathers/coloration around the bill and eye, soft background.

    I would be inclined to increase the contrast moderately to help define a bit more feather detail.

    Hope you're able to spend more time with the birds! Good therapy.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Mike, very soft and pleasing frame on the eyes. It appears you captured some really nice detail and I love the complimentary, neutral bkg.

    The head did not appear too gray to me, but I'm not an expert on Gannets by any stretch being an inland inhabitant. A touch more eye contact would have been sweet.

    The only things I can suggest are trying some selective dodging/screening on the beak and cheek area as they appear away from the light source. Also, maybe a version with the subject a bit more left in frame.

    Nice frame for me.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    It's a well detailed shot and lovely exposure.
    You could try a little gentle blending - say Multiply at 25% this may give a little more contrast you were perhaps looking for?

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Mike ... good to have the chance to visit Bempton

    You came back with a classic gannet head shot .
    The flat light helped with the details and the contrast . I do like the overall tone and colors ... super soft !!!
    Nice details and the sharpness ..how it should be IMO .

    I see where JON is coming from with his thoughts ... but for me multiply is not doing any good , as it is just making everything darker . I would go for " soft light " ... if you want to follow Jonīs route .... but not necessary , i think .

    TFS Andreas

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Jeez, this image looks wonderful to me. And the complimentary BKGR is to die for. I miss the place, and you.

    with love, a
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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    I'm with Artie! I love this frame. Details, color palette are beautiful. That BG is yummy!
    Love that nice beak that is not too "chewed up".
    Whites look fine but I do see what you mean (on the crown).
    Love the pensive look on the gannet,
    Gail

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    I also like this a lot. The details look great, the processing looks good to my eye. I would like to see a bit more room on the right or the bird a touch more left in the frame (just a tiny bit).

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Mike, excellent IQ, and love the soft light. Colours look spot on to me, and that BG is sweet. Hope you have more opportunities.

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Ashton View Post
    It's a well detailed shot and lovely exposure.
    You could try a little gentle blending - say Multiply at 25% this may give a little more contrast you were perhaps looking for?
    Cheers Jon, I'll see how that looks

    Mike

  16. #11
    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andreas Liedmann View Post
    Hi Mike ... good to have the chance to visit Bempton

    You came back with a classic gannet head shot .
    The flat light helped with the details and the contrast . I do like the overall tone and colors ... super soft !!!
    Nice details and the sharpness ..how it should be IMO .

    I see where JON is coming from with his thoughts ... but for me multiply is not doing any good , as it is just making everything darker . I would go for " soft light " ... if you want to follow Jonīs route .... but not necessary , i think .

    TFS Andreas
    Thanks Andreas, I'll try that and compare the result to Jons suggestion - every day is a school day!

    Mike

  17. #12
    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Jeez, this image looks wonderful to me. And the complimentary BKGR is to die for. I miss the place, and you.

    with love, a
    Thanks Artie, I never tire of this place. Did you get my email about me coming over next year?

    Mike

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    Gorgeous soft tones and colors with great detail. BG is amazing well done

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Poole View Post
    Thanks Andreas, I'll try that and compare the result to Jons suggestion - every day is a school day!

    Mike
    Hey Mike just on the subject .....

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    A wonderful portrait all around. Nice framing,pose and background. Detail is great.

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    Well, if the situation was bad you certainly made the best of it. Really nice portrait here. I've never seen Gannets in life but I hope to shoot them one day. Stunning. TFS.

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