N. Mockingbird
Hello everyone,
My first post here, very eager to learn...
I would appreciate comments.
Nikon D80
2008/11/21 12:34:25.3
Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
Color
Lens: Sigma 175-500mm F/4.5-6.3 D
Focal Length: 400mm
Exposure Mode: Programmed Auto
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/320 sec - F/6.3
Exposure Comp.: -1.3 EV
Ilija
Welcome!!! You will love this group!
And what a nice image for you to start with! I really like the comfortable and at-ease looking posture of the bird, and its great eye contact. Perhaps a bit more contrast and sharpening on the face to make it stand out more.
Welcome Ilija. A great first post. As Cheryl ponts out the posture gives a very 'at ease' feel to the image and the lovely browns empasise that feel for me. The only thing I'd do is sharpen around the face a bit more.
Cheers.
Sean
Big Warm welcome !!!!!
Particularly like the tones and feel, exposure is right on. Wish the bright spots were not in the bg but they soft and not detracting greatly. Can select the eye and give it a little pop !!! Just lighten/saturate then darken the pupil !! Looking forward to many more and Happy Turkey Day !!!
Welcome and good first post. The bird is nicely positioned in the frame and you have a good head angle with eye contact and the beak in good position (you want the head angled slightly towards you for good eye contact).
The image looks dark so I downloaded it and I thought, the dynamic range is limited. Using a Levels adjustment (Photoshop) it can be expanded. This is what I did in Photoshop.
1) Levels Adjustment - pulled highlights slider to right while holding down ALT key until highlights started to clip. Then back off a little.
2) Curves Adjustment - mild S-Curve to open up shadows and highlights and add contrast.
3) Hue/Saturation - 5% saturation.
4) Selective Color Adjustment - add 2% black to the black and neutral colors adds punch to image.
5) Shadows/Highlights Adjustment on BG copy - opened up shadows by increasing amount slider - width set at 25%. Also added 20% contrast using midtone slider.
6) Unsharp Mask on BG copy as follows (amount/radius/threshold), 1 time at 175/0.3/0, 2 times at 125/.2/0.
Robert you made some good changes but in the process changed the mood of the image? The original could be lighten a bit
Re posting with a slight levels adjustment, moving middle slider (a little), boosting saturation by 2 and adding two 2 units of neutral and black in selective color. Just simple and works.
Welcome to ETL great first post. I love the Northern mockingbirds- their eyes are so intense- the re-posts look great!
Hi Ilija,
Welcome to the BPN family...:)
I like the composition and capture, The background is very nice, and it compliments your subject very well. You have sharp details and very good color rendition . The head angle and the eye contact is dead on...well done. looking forward to your next composition...and once again welcome to the family...:cool:
Hi Ilija,
Welcome to the group! Great first post and some great advice given, can't add anything more. You will like it here. There is so much info on the site and people that take the time to help you, I don't think you'll be disappointed! One thing just noticed you file was a a little small. There is a thread at the top of the forum on how to post a larger file close to around 200kb. Anyways looking forward to more from you!
Welcome to BPN!
This image is definitely interesting. Creating an interesting image is half the battle.
The image also holds the viewers interest because of eye contact.
I added a 33% grid or "suggestion of thirds"
The grid clearly shows that you have placed the negative space in front of the bird, so the image does not feel cramped. Overall a pleasing composition.
IMO a little more room at the bottom would make this a stronger image.
I liked Al's version but thought I would add my 2 cents worth.
I can't climb the stairs very well right now, so I did this edit on my laptop.
Here is my crack at this image, I hope the laptop monitor is close to calibrated.
I like to keep things simple.
In Photoshop CS2 I did the following adjustments.
I used the blur brush to clean up the sharpening artifacts.
I used the layered curve tool set to auto and then change the opacity to 50%
I used the burn brush, mid-tone set at 50% to darken the background highlights.
(Those areas could have been smoothed out with addition PS work if so desired)
And finally a pass of Noise Reduction set to Photoshop CS2 defaults.
IMO the noise and sharpening artifacts that I cleaned up may have been a result of under exposure.
I noticed you dialed in -1.3 stops of exposure composition. Looking at the scene, that looks like you might have taken too much light away.
What did the original histogram look like?
Thanks for sharing and welcome again,
James
Thank you!
Thank you for your generous comments. I'm quite amazed by the speed and amount of responses.
The group seems like a fun place to be.
I have zero experience with Photoshop, so I really appreciate your suggestions. I already learned
quite a bit from the comments and the re-posts of the photo.
Looking forward...
Ilija Dukovski
Big welcome Ilija. Excellent first post. Love the framing and the soft tones on your image.
Congrats,
Hi - another big welcome - lots of info there for your first post and a nice image it is to..... I think I prefer James repost.
Looking forward to seeing more. :)
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