Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Rose Breasted Grosbeak - profile

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default Rose Breasted Grosbeak - profile

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This nice male grosbeak visited me at my backyard feeder this afternoon. It was quite a cloudy day, hence the high ISO, but just when this was taken, a bit more sun peaked through, and I could have gone to a smaller aperture.

    D300 500mm f/4 at f/6.3 1/2000s -.7 EC SB800 with beamer at -1.7 EC Gitzo, WII

    NX2 for post.

    Comments always appreciated.

    Thanks

    Randy

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    It's always great to see the grosbeaks return in the spring. I like the perch, BG and angle. I wish for a bit more head turn, would sharpen the head more and give the bird more room. Maybe also a slightly lower color temperature.

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    1,087
    Threads
    130
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a lovely bird to have coming to your feeder - good job with exposure - perhaps try upping the contrast a bit - the blacks in the wings look a little greyish?

  4. #4
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Thanks for the input. I have tweaked it a bit. The OP was a bit low in contrast in an attempt to hold the whites and reds from blowing. I went back and massaged it a bit, see what people think. It was done at work, without the original file, so I lost a bit of quality on the reprocess, but do think perhaps it is a better balance.

    Appreciate your opinions as always.

    Randy

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Costa Rica
    Posts
    4,547
    Threads
    253
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Randy

    Very nice grosbeak, clean BG and great pose.

    I guess I would prefer a version between these two images. In the first one the blacks are sort of wash out, but in the repost they seem too black for my taste.

    In any case a wonderful image.

    PP. That branch is very nice.

  6. #6
    Raul Quinones
    Guest

    Default

    Nice picture, agree with Juan Carlos in something between the two pictures... beautiful bird hope to see more.

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I agree something between the two would be best. Perhaps a bit tight in the frame - if this is cropped I would add some back top and right. Neat velvety perch, is that from a sumac?

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Washington, D.C.
    Posts
    1,225
    Threads
    14
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice capture of a beautiful bird. I don't know if this gets the birds colors correctly, but I set white point on the lightest feathers on the wing (242.242.242). Also brightened the eye a bit and sharpened.


  9. #9
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everyone for the comments. This is almost full frame, have a little more to left and bottom, not top and to right, of course! I am so close to these guys that I can barely fit them in! It is a trade off. I am trying to get the biggest image possible of the little birds, and then one of the bigger guys jumps in!

    Daniel - good eye, that is a flaming sumac perch.

    This image was a good lesson for me. I was tired, and distracted while processing it, and didn't do my best job. I will let it cook for a while and see if I can't do this nice bird justice.

    Thanks again all.

    Randy

  10. #10
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    David:

    Thanks for the repost. I was typing the above while you were posting, so didn't see it until after I posted the above.

    I think yours is the best compromise so far. You perhaps pushed the eye a smidge brighter than I would, but still nice overall.

    I should have some more opportunities with this fellow this weekend, and will keep tweaking it.

    Like most black and white birds, it is a challenge to keep everything within the dynamic range of the camera.

    I might set up with the D700 which does a bit better (rather than the D300) and see how it looks. Plus, if you add in the red, which is very easily blown, its a challenge. And I thought loons were tough!

    Cheers

    Randy

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Randy, I like your comp, with the perch diagonally through the image. Lovely pose with great eye contact. I cant comment on the colours, as I am not familiar with the species. Seems like you get quite a few different visitors to your garden.

  12. #12
    Mark Schmitt
    Guest

    Default

    Sorry, I like the original post. The re-post has seen some of the details in the blacks lost. If anything, I'd adjust the contrast and gamma levels in PS. Agree it could be opened up some on the crop. Lots of detail, right down to the fine fuzz on the perch. Well done.

  13. #13
    Art Kornienko
    Guest

    Default

    Great work David.

  14. #14
    Art Kornienko
    Guest

    Default

    Randy, just curious why you would have preferred a smaller aperture?

  15. #15
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Art:

    Smaller hole, larger number, increased DOF. Sorry if I wasn't clear in the original post.

    Randy

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics