Juvy Pied-billed Grebe

[Desmond Chan]

Nothing exotic. Just a juvenile pied-billed grebe with a "boring" background :D

D300 300f2.8 + 1.7xTC on tripod. Manual exposure mode, no flash (lazy as usual); ISO 2000 (call me crazy), f8 1/160 sec. Cropped for composition.

Just got a 1.7TC so I was out there testing it. As you can tell, it's still not "long" enough on a 300mm. Not to mention the grebe is not big enough to fill the frame from where I was. And, I'm not sure I'm happy with the results of using the 1.7xTC with the 200-400 yet. But it could be operator's error so far.

Anyhow, C&C are appreciated !

Thanks you !!

[Gail Spitler]

I find this image to be amazing, for some reason/s it really holds my interest both as an artistic image and as a technical photograph. I love the background and foreground - very effective - hint of the water surface. There are a few gray slashes that probably should come out (a couple to the left of the bill and a couple in the lower left). The water droplets on the bird are interesting and luckily they are in the in-focus part of the field. Impressive that ISO 2000 worked so well - so little noise. Did you do something special about that? Love the sharpness of the head and front of bird; although I assume you may be a bit unhappy with a little softness on the cheeks? Really shallow dof I guess, even at f/8.
Also where did you find a Pied-billed Grebe still mostly in juvenile plumage at this time of year?
Big points for artistic impression on this one.
Gail

[Lance Peters]

Hi Desmond - love the BG - agree with gail some gray streaks to go - lovley high key image. Like the low angle.

Would possibly add a bit of sharpening to the eye.

Very nice - well done.

[denise ippolito]

Desmond, I like this shot as well-may be tempted to put a thin black (border/frame) around image to define edges a little more-great shot and cute little guy

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Desmond You can use your 1.7x wide open it is a sharp converter. Wouldn't draw conclusion form this since you had such a low shutter speed !!

[Nonda Surratt]

I love it Desmond!! Love Grebes and this works for me.

[Phil Ertel]

I like these high-key images. Cute little guy. All my observation have been covered. Good show.

Thanks for sharing.

Phil

[Desmond Chan]

There are a few gray slashes that probably should come out (a couple to the left of the bill and a couple in the lower left).

I left them there as a hint of water around the grebe. I knew it could be distracting for some but I still left them there just to see what other think.

he water droplets on the bird are interesting and luckily they are in the in-focus part of the field. Impressive that ISO 2000 worked so well - so little noise. Did you do something special about that?

I shoot in raw and so noise reduction is part of the process. For this one, first in Camera Raw then ran it through Neat Image with a bit more noise reduction. Sometimes I also use Surface Blur on the a and b channel in LAB before I applies Smart Sharpen to the Lightness channel.

Also where did you find a Pied-billed Grebe still mostly in juvenile plumage at this time of year?

Come to Garden City Community Park in Richmond and you should find them. They live there. They also dive and catch the gold fish in the pond, too ( I don't think the fish were meant to be there for the grebes when they built the park ;) )

Big points for artistic impression on this one.

Thanks for the nice words, Gail !

Thanks everyone !!

[Harold Davis]

fantastic image, desmond!! love the high key grebe. very artistic and has a nice feel to it!!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Excellent feel to the image, your subjects are very well defined and sharp.
Regards,

[Gus Cobos]

Well done Desmond,
Great details and sharp eye...:cool:

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Very nice Desmond. love the low angle and all the details. Like Denise's suggestion of putting a small frame around it. Great shot!