It was a gray flat day as far lighting was concerned yesterday. Still is for that matter. I took a side trip through an area that typically yields decent bird activity and I came upon a Shrike that was willing to sit still for me. That almost never happens :) I cleaned the background up quite a bit. I'm not happy about the left hand fork of the branch. It almost looks like something a taxidermist would use to prop the bird up.
I think fill flash would have helped this image a lot. Unfortunately there isn't room for the flash and bracket and my lens when I shoot out of the pickup window so that's not an option...
I worked on the background quite a bit in this image. Nothing time consuming. Most of the work was done to remove BG shadows from OOF elements. Then a levels layer for the bird to try to get it to pop a little more and a levels layer for the BG to bring it down a little. Hmmm... looks like I got into the lower part of the branch with one of the brushes...
1DsMKIII manual
600 f4L IS
ISO 100
1/800s @ f4
I ended up adding 2 stops in ACR. That is on top of a full stop that I added in camera.
I like the pose Michael. Looks a little underexposed even now. Shouldn't be too difficult to remove the offending branch. Appreciate you taking the time to describe your workflow.
Thanks Doug. I agree. This is one of those images that should have probably been sent to that great Raw file depository in the sky. Unfortunately I have a fondness for the bird so I tried to rescue the image. 2 Stops under is a lot to try to rescue :)
How have you been? I really hate that I didn't recognize you at Bosque this year. I was too caught up in Bosque-itus to recognize anyone I guess. Maybe next year.
I like the bird position and alert look. The back part of the perch intersecting with the abdomen is a little distracting. It is sharp and clean, I like it.
I'm sure our paths will cross again soon Mike! I've been well. I'm starting to get ready for my Costa Rica workshop, which goes for 2 weeks in mid-April; should be a lot of fun!
Doug, By the time mid-April gets here I'll be ready to go to Costa Rica. Too bad (but no surprise) it's waiting list only :)
I didn't do a very good job of it... but I just got OnOne Software's program called Mask Pro 4.0 and played with substituting the background for something more pleasing. I took some time to create some backgrounds earlier today by taking advantage of the excellent bokeh that the 600 f4 has. I merged the original with one of the backgrounds and this is the result. If I had used more care it would be perfect. As it is, it's not too bad...
Loggerhead Shrike
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