Fall migration is on Least Sandpiper

[kevin Hice]

Least Sandpiper shot in Nd Slough. Fall migration is going full bore. I got this sandpiper along with some plovers. This was shot from my floating blind. Which is very difficult because its not in the water . I push into position on top of the mud flats. Shot in vertical. Everything in Nd is very wary and wild.
That being said I was checking out a slough the other day and White faced Ibis let me approach rather close. Of coarse had no camera. Birds are pretty smart.
Processed with Dpp 4 Photoshop, Topaz noise. Comments and critiques appreciated.
Canon R3
Rf 600 f/4 L IS
840mm
M 1/2500
5.6
ISO 1600

[Dorian Anderson]

Loving the low angle, details, raised leg, and engaging head angle, but the whole frame looks really hazy and washed out. I also think the crop is wonky (i.e. too square-ish); the bird needs much more room to the left. All of this is seems fixable, so I'd be very interested to see a repost if others confirm the concerns I have. All the settings you used looked optimal, so that's also good.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Looks hazy to me, several options available maybe worthwhile applying a little Dehaze and then considering other form of contrast.

[kevin Hice]

Thanks so much for the comments Dorian much appreciated. It was shot in some fog. I'm thinking maybe the lens fogged up also. I did some clarity and dehaze in post.

[kevin Hice]

Thanks for the comments as it was shot in some fog. I will try the contrast.

[kevin Hice]

Here is the repost added quite a bit of dehaze and some clarity,contrast to remove the fog.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Kevin ... love the low POV and the smooth FG/BG .
the walking pose is great as is the sweet light . color is spot on for me .
the shot was taken in fog , so all will be quite flat and you kept the image close to reality ...with both versions . Others think Mit should be less flat ... I am 50/50 on keeping it more natural or make it more pleasing ?
the colors can be pushed more ...

Here is just a more attractive ??? version . WDYT ?

Easy thing to do .... selected the darks 2 via TK 8 plugin ( auto levels to the mask ) and used a curves adjustment layer set to " soft light " blend mode . duplicate the layer by using cmd/ctrl J then make a group add layer mask to the group and paint in the desired effect . Done I a minute ....

TFS Andreas

[kevin Hice]

Thanks so much Andreas for your thoughts. I do see where your adjustments make a difference mine is flat. I think I would like something between my last edit and yours. So many ways to make adjustments.
I really appreciate you taking the time to give me another option. Helps me to learn other processing techniques.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I know you do not use LR, but for those who do the "dehaze" slider would do a nice job of that initial "foggy" look. Good low angle Kevin, and the raised foot adds a lot of interest. Viva shorebird migration...going on up here too!

[Brian Sump]

Hi Kevin, very nice capture overall. Lovely low perspective and I like the little mud dragging foot....

Perhaps it could benefit from a touch of noise reduction and I do like the slightly more 'punchy' version Andreas posted. Just takes some of the haze away.

Look forward to more!

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Kevin, When you have a minute, if you like, please send me the raw file via a large file sending service. thanks with love, artie