The Cardinal II

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Canon 40D
Canon 400 5.6
Blubb
1/800
f/5.6
ISO=400
EV=0

LRII-->CS4

I noticed this fellow near a play ground hopping around on a wooden fence. The fence has some slight-markings from a near by school yard, I opted to keep it in a natural state.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Jeff

Bird is really sharp, got a good (very) good bg and I like the head turn. Reds look good. If the bg is no problem might have tried stopping down a little more for dof (feet) About all I could wish for is a natural perch but this is mighty fine !!!! ... would go with a slight crop form the top !!!!

[Dave Phillips]

good points by Al and I see the reds much better in this one than cardinal #1.
Might tone down the beak a bit.....nice eye

edit: came back to edit with some hindsight Jeff......I see a lot of red in your image.
I added about 20 points of cyan and move midtone levels down and a local contrast of
USM @ 6/50/0....all very easy and non selective adjustments. Toned down beak a bit too.
Hope you see it as an alternative process

[Jay Gould]

Hi Jeff, I like the cocked inquisitive head position. Suggest leveling the wall; a bit higher on the RHS. Cheers,

[Rod Wiley]

Nice work, never seen a pigeon toed Cardinal before

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Dave, thank you for taking the time to show this regal bird in a different light, Well done.

What does USM mean and where do you input the 6/50/0 numbers. I assume in the different boxes in levels screen, can you give me a fast fly-by of what when & where - nice work.

[Dave Phillips]

Jeff, USM stands for Unsharp Mask.....the 3 numbers are for amount/radius/threshold.
I often use 6/50/0 for light effect and 12/50/0 for stronger effect. It is termed local
contrast enhancement.....also used as a clarifying tool.

Bets to Google this for more detail.....I am not good with explanations of this nature.
Thanks for comment

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Dave, I know where you are now, just was not tracking with the initials for a moment thank you friend.

[Stu Bowie]

Super pose with an inquisitive head turn. Lovely colour on the little guy, and as you said, not much you could do with the perch.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Thanks Stuart, it is hot here (every where) and the heat index has been around 107. Hence, I have been visiting my old haunts and the Card's were posing that day.

I appreciate the king words, the Cardinal is still one of the most regal and handsome birds IMO.