Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Long-billed Dowitcher flock

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    3,469
    Threads
    495
    Thank You Posts

    Default Long-billed Dowitcher flock

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Long-billed Dowitcher flock shot at my new favorite spot in the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, Yolo co. CA (when the delta breeze is blowing!). Shot with a shoulder stock mounted Nikon D200, 80-400mmVR at 400, 1/2000th, f8, ISO 400, manual exp mode, spot meter mode, multi sensor AF mode, fill flash HSS -2.0 with not much effect!.This shot was made from a spot where the birds want to fly from one flooded field to another for some reason (food?) and into the wind, which slows them down a bit for me. I wish that the BG was OOF but I am shooting this lens at f8 for better sharpness as it doesn't have a very good reputation for being very sharp wide open. I will be experimenting with this however. PP in CS3, cropped to pano with canvas added.

    Dan Brown

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    I like the included habitat and composition. It needs a bit CCW rotation and I wish there were no overlap between the birds and might desaturate the greens a few points.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Sugar Land, Texas USA
    Posts
    1,819
    Threads
    480
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I think you did well to get all the birds in focus, which is not too easy with a flock that moves quite quickly. I'm glad to see this image, for it might be helpful to me (and others) if other members comment on it and possibly point out solutions. To me at least, the image shows far too much contrast, and definitely is over-saturated. In any case I have seen this problem in quite a few of my own images (before post-processing) and would like to find a solution to it. In my own similar images reducing the contrast tends to make the image appear muddy. regards~onlybill

  4. #4
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A good job of focusing but too many flat wing positions and too much BKGR detail for me. Why go by what you hear about a lens??? If I did that I would have to throw all my lenses not to mention camera bodies away... And yes to too contrasty.
    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.










  5. #5
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WIlliam Maroldo View Post
    I think you did well to get all the birds in focus, which is not too easy with a flock that moves quite quickly. I'm glad to see this image, for it might be helpful to me (and others) if other members comment on it and possibly point out solutions. To me at least, the image shows far too much contrast, and definitely is over-saturated. In any case I have seen this problem in quite a few of my own images (before post-processing) and would like to find a solution to it. In my own similar images reducing the contrast tends to make the image appear muddy. regards~onlybill
    William, If you post an image to show us what you are talking about perhaps we could help.
    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.










  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    3,469
    Threads
    495
    Thank You Posts

    Default repost

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Thanks for the tips. Here is an attempt to reduce contrast and saturation. Dan

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    3,469
    Threads
    495
    Thank You Posts

    Default another shot of the flock

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Here's another shot of the flock with better wings, IMO. I paid attention to the contrast and saturation here also. Dan

  8. #8
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes better, but still lots of merges and a few birds tilted away from you. Pulling off a great shorebird flock flight image is a huge challenge.
    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.










Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics