White Throated Sparrow

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Tech's:
Canon 40D
Canon 400 MM 4.5
Gitzo 3530LS
Mongoose Head
20 feet subject distance
Blind
1/500
f/5.6
EV -1/3
ISO 500
Morning light

Workflow:
Canon CR2---->LRII (crop)--->TIFF--->NN (noise reduction & sharpen)---->TIFF--->CS4 (selective sharpen eyes, adjust colors and lighten image)---web save JPEG at 197kb file.

Regarding the workflow listed above, please comment on the process as well. I could use all the help I can get - thanks.

J$

[Alfred Forns]

I like it Jeff Excellent pose and sharp Did well with a bg Would suggest stronger crop form the left/top Will strengthen image, post below

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Al,

Nice repost, it does make the picture stronger, thanks.

J$

[denise ippolito]

Jeff, very nice details and pose! still some noise in BG - Alfred's re-post is great. Jeff,your bird shots are getting better and better! well done.

[Alfred Forns]

Its a real nice one Jeff I find this little guys so difficult and you did manage a pleasing bg !!!!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

denise,

Regarding the bg noise - how can I improve?

Currently, I imported into NN (see workflow above) and ran one pass with the default settings. Then utilized the NN-brush to undo the noise-reductions on the body of the sparrow. Essentially, I did not use CS4 to remove any noise. Maybe I should run two passes in NN or increase the strength?

Thanks for the kind words, I am putting in plenty of effort.

J$

[Lance Peters]

HI Jeff - nice pose, nice HA and good detaisl - Al' repost is on th emoney for me --- Well Done.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Jeff - I find the default settings in NN to be too general. I would recommend turning the USM completely off and sharpening only in CS4 as the last step before saving. I also put the color sliders to 10, as there is typically some color noise present. From there, let your eyes be the judge and tune the settings for the particular image. I have not had much luck with using NN for sharpening and this technique is counter to the recommended workflow which suggests noise reduction early and sharpening late. Also recommend using the camera profiles if you are not already. Hope this helps.

[denise ippolito]

Jeff, I don't use NN so I couldn't help you w/ that-but you could PM Gus Cobos ,he uses that program and is very happy w/ it.

[Nonda Surratt]

Jeff,

Really nice pose, not an easy bird! Like Alfred's crop! Don't use NR software so no help there, but I'm wondering why you have so much noise (not that the noise is really bad) but does seem too much for the setting?

Ya done really good!!!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

denise,

If I sent the original could you make the NR adjustments in CS4 and repost so I can see the difference. Alternatively, could you tell me your default NR settings. I know it is an individual case matter, different as the s/w may be, this might give me a sence of direction. Currently, I do not which way to turn?

I will separate the NR and sharpening functions as well.

J$

[Gus Cobos]

Nicely done Jeff,
I like the details and color rendition...I like the diagonal perch and pose with the sharp eye...good show...Mr. Forns' repost puts it over the top...:cool:

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Nice Jeff. I like Al's repost and Kerry gives good advice for NN. Think the bird could use a bit more sharpening. Like the pose you have captured with good HA.

[Harold Davis]

nice job, jeff! al's repost is perfect. keep up the good work!

[denise ippolito]

Jeff, If Jackie says that Kerry is giving good advice for NN than I would follow it-Jackie wouldn't steer you wrong and neither would Kerry-If you already have the program you should stick to it and try to learn it the best you can-I've heard great things about NN,I just can't give advice on it as I've never used it-sorry