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Thread: High Key BLUBBed Pintail

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Default High Key BLUBBed Pintail

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    I created this image from my rental car at Bosque with the Canon 800mm f/5.6 L IS lens, the 1.4X TC, and the EOS-1D MIII. The rig was supported by a BLUBB, the Big Lens Ultimate Beanbag that I designed. This huge beanbag is marketed only by BAA. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops verified by histogram check: 1/500 sec. at f/10.

    Don't be shy; all comments welcome.
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    I like the alert posture of the pintail and the simplicity of the composition a lot. I think that you have what it looks to me like a bunny dust in the LLC of the sensor that is very obvious on this light colored foreground. Well done

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Thanks Juan. Not sure how I missed that other than to say that with the MIII any dust bunnies are very rare. The image looked to red to me so I went back and color-balanced the ORIG to come up with the re-post.
    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.

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  4. #4
    david cramer
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    I love my BLUBB. It makes long lens photography from the car, the car hood, or the ground, quite possible, as your very sharp image proves. I use it with 400mm 2.8 + 2.0tc regularly.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    I like your original post Artie, as the repost just looks like it has a blue cast to it. I accept your explaination on your process of the repost, but the reddish colour seems to enhance the the pintail more. Well exposed on the white neck, and overall, nice and sharp Artie. Well captured.

  6. #6
    Tony House
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    The first post I like, it's got that pinkish first light look to it but not knowing what a Pintail looks like in real life I can't comment on the second. it's pin sharp though ( no pun intended )

    I was trying to photograph a Short Eared Owl the other day from my car using a bean bag as it hunted in a field next to the road, my lens nearly got tossed out of the window I was so frustrated, kept losing focus.

    Tony
    Last edited by Tony House; 12-16-2008 at 12:14 PM.

  7. #7
    bill kominsky
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    I like the first post as well Artie, didn't even see the spec that Juan saw boy these guys are good. Very nicely done and would expect nothing else.

    Bill

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    Definitely, the repost looks much better to me!
    Great details and light.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by david cramer View Post
    I love my BLUBB. It makes long lens photography from the car, the car hood, or the ground, quite possible, as your very sharp image proves. I use it with 400mm 2.8 + 2.0tc regularly.
    Thanks for the endorsement David. As for the color balance, different strokes.... :) :) :)
    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.

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  10. #10
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    I like the mood, details and composition in this one. As for the color, I would prefer something between the original and repost, but then, I was not there.

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    nice shot,sharp,and I like the ripperly reflection of the duck,the first post to me is the best.thanks.

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    I'll chime in on colour balance. My aim is usually to try to mimic the balance I remember seeing when I made the image. I know our eyes have automatic white balance like cameras, but I think this is still a do-able goal. If an image is made in the golden light of dawn or dusk then I want this to be reflected in the image. If the AWB setting removes/reduces the effect I put it back in ACR.

    I like the colour balance of both images because they both could reflect the reality of the moment. As far as the image is concerned Artie, one thing I thought I have learned from BPN is to crop out weak reflections, but in this case you decided to leave yours.

    Pintails are a goal for 2009. Didn't get within 800 mm range of one this year! Maybe Bosque 2009!!

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    I think the blue on the beak stands out more on the re-post. But the pinkish light in the water of the original is killer Art. The dust Bunnie is noticeable in the lower left but you got it in the repost. Your inclusion of the reflection is a nice touch, ripple in the way or not, still a winner.

    I would take this one in my files any day.

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    BPN Member Tony Whitehead's Avatar
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    Beautiful duck. My preference is for the original version as the warm tones of the plumage are enhanced. I think this is an image where a narrow dark stroke around the edge would enhance web presentation.
    Tony Whitehead
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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    I prefer the water in the repost, but I would mask out the bird leaving it looking like it did in the OP.
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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    Very nicely done, Artie. Sharp, good head angle, and perfect exposure. Here's another vote for the original version, though both work quite well, IMO. I like the abstract reflection here as it adds some color and texture interest to what might otherwise be a rather bland foreground.

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    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
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    My 2 cents worth.
    The Blubb is the best "bean bag" for photographers period.
    I feel splitting the color balance difference between the two posted images would be my preference.
    I also feel as good as this image is, a vertical composition would make it even stronger.
    800mm 5.6 L !

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    Artie I noticed the color cast in the first image but I liked a lot and said nothing about it. I still prefer the first post.

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    Hi Artie,

    Great shot here! I really wish we had none skittish pintails here in the Netherlands! I agree with James two cents worth, somewhere in between the two color balance pics would be the best. Love the composition though, wouldn't change it at all. Love the allert look and the high key effect here. Excellent!

    Maybe this is just me but in your repost did you darken the face? Or was this an effect of your color balance adjustment?

    All the best,

    Krijn

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