Thank you all for you advice on my barn swallow posting. It really helped and I was encouraged that finally, after a year, I am actually starting to understand what you guys are saying :)
Shutter speed is still low but I used ISO400 and a larger aperature as suggested for this warbler
I did the "hold down ALT" thing in PS for exposure then backed it off until the white under his/her neck didn't blow out, that made the black around his eye loose detail. I then attemped to use the select tool for around his eye and lighten it but it looked rediculous ... then the "enjoy a hobby" window of opportunity slammed shut so I decided to post it without selective editing.
Thanks for looking
Nikon D40
Sigma APO 50-500mm
Aperature Priority
ISO 400, 1/320, F/8, 500mm
Last edited by Mark Schack; 05-08-2009 at 02:46 PM.
Nice shot, a couple of things from my perspective. I do not have the multiple years of experience as some in the forum, but maybe my advise will make sense.
1, The perch is nice but too significant in the picture. Maybe move it down left or right.
2, Was this hand held. If so, with the lower shutter speeds the image will often be soft. Even with a tripod, it take practice to get it sharp. That's why, if the shutter is less than 1/FL (in this case 1/500 or 500) it can be a real challenge to produce detail; remember to open the aperture when possible to get higher shutter speeds as well.
3, Your camera settings are solid. I like the AP choice, the ISO is alright, could be higher and the bird's HA and expression are great. You see composition well, which is something I struggle with, nice job.
Some white spots might be a little hot, was the histogram sysmetrical or balanced and toward the right w/o a clip?
I started about 1.5 years ago. A turning point for me was reading the Art of Bird Photography I & II (APB) . Then, I settled on evaluative metering (Canon), ISO of about 400 and to use a tripod when ever possible. Then, I try to shoot only in soft light (mornings are great) and realize it is a continuous improvement process. I focused on the exposure theory first (APB), histogram second, using a tripod third, soft light fourth and then purchased LR and started to play with color and tones.
My advise, is to get the exposure and histogram down tight before you try and master the more advanced techniques of post production s/w. You are on the right track young Jedi.
Great advice from Jeff !!!! Really like all the points and how well you express them
Can add it looks like a large crop? Tech wise don't hesitate to increase the ISO since noise you can deal with later !!!
For the procedure you wanted to try with the eye there is a simple solution. Give the following a try
press Q for quick mask. Make sure you have a soft brush... hardness needs to be set to "0"
press B for brush
brush the eye area Best to use a brush the size of eye
press Q to exit quick mask
Go to sellect > inverse
then you can lighten the eye by any means and only that are will be affected.
after finishing just go to select > deselect
Hi Mark - great advice above - for me - I started off with just practicing exposure, Id shoot everyday on the way to work and on the way home - just to practice exposure, as I did I became to be more aware of changing light conditions and how it affects your exposure etc. Use your histogram and turn your over exposure blinkies on and practice practice practice .
Hi Mark...very good advise given, and Jeff covered the techs. quite well...I might add that you should run a pass of noise reduction in the background...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Yellow Rumped Warbler
