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Thread: Spotted Thick-Knee

  1. #1
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default Spotted Thick-Knee

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    Hello everyone,

    Thought I'd share an image of a Spotted Thick-Knee, taken in the Kruger Park (South Africa). This bird was previously known as 'Dikkop'. Cannot remember seeing this species here so perhaps you'd enjoy seeing something different.

    Lighting conditions were rather poor, overcast and drizzling. I quite liked those wet feathers on the subject's head and thought they gave him quite a comical look

    Suppose I could do more with this image, so your comments and suggestions would be very welcome, kindly let me have your likes and dislikes.

    Techs as follows:

    Nikon D5
    Nikon 500mm F4
    ISO3200
    F7.1
    +1/3 EV
    1/1000s

    Image processed in LR and PSCC, cropped from the top for a more balanced composition. Thinking more DoF would have been nice...

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, the muted tones of colour convey the overcast & drizzling day nicely, even with the water droplets on the plumage. The rather soaked head does make for a sad and bedraggled subject. More DoF not sure, but you have the detail & sharpness where it needs to be. The framing works with enough space for the subject to breathe.

    After getting this frame, going to say f/5.6 with say 1/125, or 1/160 may have helped with the more defined rain steaks.

    'Dikkop', now Spotted Thick-Knee, who ever thought of changing names needs to question it, no sooner you get to know what they are all called.. black Smith Plover, Go Away bird.... All change!!!

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, angle a little less than optimal resulting in a shortness in DOF. the head and eye look good, the legs a little OOF pale and lacking in detail, hope this helps.

  4. #4
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you so much Steve and Jon, I truly appreciate your feedback.

    Jon, unfortunately it wasn't possible to get a better POV, albeit we did try. Glad at least the head is sharp and some detail

    Steve, my attempts to capture those rain streaks weren't successful... all I had for support was an old bean bag...might take the gimpro along in September.

    Regarding name change... oh well, I am still trying to get used to it, had to buy new bird books

    Warmest regards to you both, and I hope you have a great week ahead,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    all I had for support was an old bean bag...might take the gimpro along in September.
    Good call, great bit of kit, he really builds good quality, met him in JoBerg bought some kit from him, before seeing young Stu.

    [QUOTE]Regarding name change... oh well, I am still trying to get used to it, had to buy new bird books/QUOTE]

    Newmans is my bible, having it on an App is good too, if you get a signal, but yes you do, after our daily exchanges, but Carl is so good you don't need a book.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  6. #6
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    [QUOTE=Steve Kaluski;1277942]Good call, great bit of kit, he really builds good quality, met him in JoBerg bought some kit from him, before seeing young Stu.

    Regarding name change... oh well, I am still trying to get used to it, had to buy new bird books/QUOTE]

    Newmans is my bible, having it on an App is good too, if you get a signal, but yes you do, after our daily exchanges, but Carl is so good you don't need a book.
    Yes Carl knows all the birds, I know most of them too but sometimes I battle with the little ones, the LBJ'sI still like to take a book along, when on holiday I try to stay away from my phone... unless I decide to send you videos of what we're seeing

    Have a wonderful day, Steve!

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    I love it! I am ok with the dof as what needs to be sharp, is. Loving the vertical composition, which was the obvious way to go. That wet look is too good lol. I would personally evict the drop near the bill tip, and perhaps also the bigger one lower. I do wish there was more of those raindrops though. As for name changes, we get them here too, and they are often redundant IMO (some others I suppose are good) - I will put the new correct names when posting online, but still refer to some of the older names when talking to myself...ha!

  8. #8
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dear Dan,

    I agree with you about the drop near the bill, it's been bothering me a bit...Also, I did some NR on the BG and unfortunately it has taken away/ softened the rain drops.

    Have other images of the Spotted Thick Knee and will share, happy to get feedback thank you so much for taking the time to view!

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela ... sometimes we cannot get the optimal shooting angle when shooting from the car , easy as that . So take the shots and make the most out of it is key ....
    I think you have created a good and solid image of the Dikkop , which can be " improved " as a matter of taste . Colors and tones are well rendered and presented . But I do think nothing is wrong ... so to speak .
    Love the big eyes of them .

    TFS Andreas

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Looking good here Gabriela... I like the pose and the detail that you captured...Lovely colours throughout...Never seen one before, so thanks for sharing... It looks similar to a Stone Curlew.

    Will

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you very much Andreas and Will

    Starting to enjoy avian photography...small steps... and loving the feedback, much appreciated

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Who likes bird photography??? This one is stunning. I love how the reddish browns in the water complement the colors of the under tail coverts. If the head were turned more toward you it would have been even better. For me :-)
    with love, a
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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Gabriela, that is about a sad looking lad if I've ever seen one :-)

    Truly a memorable look you captured and just enough rain to tell the story of a sad, dreary day.

    Your composition is quite nice and I really like the striations in the rock. Nice depth in the dark tones and beautiful eye contact!

    TFS, glad to see you posting here!

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Who likes bird photography??? This one is stunning. I love how the reddish browns in the water complement the colors of the under tail coverts. If the head were turned more toward you it would have been even better. For me :-)
    with love, a
    Thank you so much, Artie. I am going to find a better one, just for you
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Sump View Post
    Gabriela, that is about a sad looking lad if I've ever seen one :-)

    Truly a memorable look you captured and just enough rain to tell the story of a sad, dreary day.

    Your composition is quite nice and I really like the striations in the rock. Nice depth in the dark tones and beautiful eye contact!

    TFS, glad to see you posting here!
    Hello Brian,

    Thank you so much for kind words! Shall try post some more, see what folks think

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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