Intense

[wendell westfall]

D70s 70-200 2x @400 1/1600 f5.6 !SO400 0EV Aperture priority

The sky this morning was somewhat overcast. Here is one of two (?) reddish egrets that inhabit our wetlands. I was lucky and got a look at one of them today. Labeling these birds as "intense" is perhaps wrong -- "skittish" might be better. As you know, they put on quite a show. I was entertained for about 20 minutes by this feller. I tried to correct for noise and USM and used only a minor crop (in order to include the shadow). Please let me know how, and if, I might it improve the image further.

Thanks,
Wendell

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Wendell,
I like the capture and composition...Love the "intense" action...the image looks to be a tad under exposed; not by much...would suggest lightening the background and the bird...You have good sharp details...the colors could use a little boost of saturation and contrast...I like the trail of water droplets left behind, and the bird's reflection:cool:...looking forward to your next one...

[Lance Peters]

Hi Wendell - agree with Gus - the feel of action is very nice. Dont forget to try a lower angle when you are able - yes it means you are going to get wet/dirty but it really does make a huge differnce to your shots.

Looking forward to seeing more :)

[denise ippolito]

Wendell, Lovely details and colors,nice composition.

[wendell westfall]

Thanks all . . . and Gus I tried exactly what you suggested -- exposure, contrast, saturation -- and what an improvement! Now if i can manage to assess those problems before posting . . . I always feel I've got it right, but usually don't. My "eye" has a way to go yet.

[Dave Leroy]

Very nice Wendell. Excellent action shot with a reflection. Nice sharp details. Good one. Dave

[Desmond Chan]

I like the color...it almost looks like a painting. I do think it could be brighter though.

[wendell westfall]

Hi Desmond: I agree it would look better brighter, and with the changes I made which were suggested by Gus the picture does look brighter.

[Alfred Forns]

Great comments Can add with these images I like framing with the bird even smaller in frame. I like room for the bird to move into and seeing more of the trailing wake, seems to add to the action.

Wendell just for curiosity could you check the original histogram to see if you could have gone + 1/2 or even +2/3? ... after correction image does look very good and got great feather colors.

[wendell westfall]

Hi Alfred: I did have more room for the bird before cropping . . . and yes, after checking I see I could have gone +2/3. I tried to copy and paste the histogram for you to see, but don't know how to do it.

[David Thomasson]

Thanks all . . . and Gus I tried exactly what you suggested -- exposure, contrast, saturation -- and what an improvement! Now if i can manage to assess those problems before posting . . . I always feel I've got it right, but usually don't. My "eye" has a way to go yet.

Seems also to have a color cast. A single levels adjustment should cover everything -- brightness, contrast, etc.

Wonderful capture. Intensity personified ... or birdified.