Another Willet

[Brian Barcelos]

I stumbled upon this little one as my son and I were walking through the marsh trying to get close to a tern colony. She (?) was screaming at us to leave while her husband (?) mobbed us for a few seconds. I figured they had a nest near by so I took a few pics and left in a different direction, they looked stressed out and the gulls near by wouldn't leave them alone. I tried getting a pic of her with her mouth open but every time she screamed, she would look the other way. Hope every one likes it. C/C please.
Brian



Canon EOS 20D
Aperture-Priority AE
Tv 1/1600
Av 6.3
Evaluative Metering
Exp Comp -2/3
ISO 200
Tamron 200-500mm@500

[Arthur Morris]

A nicely designed image. Why -2/3??? That seems much too much with that light blue water back there. Bird could use a bit more sharpening and the taller dried grasses might want to disappear.... You did a good job getting close in the northeast.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Other than Artie's tips, there is a dust spot straight above the bill tip, about 1/3 way down. Nice bird and a few tweaks will improve this for sure. :)

[Brian Barcelos]

Akos, Thanks for the heads up on the dust spot, must of invaded my camera when I changed lens':D.

Artie, The reason for the -2/3 is that for some reason when I'm in AV mode it won't let me change the exposure compensation? I found this out after I downloaded all the pictures that afternoon. Have you ever seen this problem with the 20D? I really need to upgrade to a 50D but I've been out of work since Feb.

Here is the re post with cloning of taller grass and sharpened a little. Thanks

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

That's way better Brian. I much more like it! You could always use manual mode?

[Brian Barcelos]

Akos, Thank you. I normally do use manual but lately I've been trying out AV in different situations after reading Artie's book ABP II.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

One thing I thought of. Sometimes if my power switch on my 30D is not FULLY in the up position, but is halfway (don't know why it is like that) I cannot compensate. Why don't you check that with the 20D switch? Maybe a similar design?

[Arthur Morris]

Artie, The reason for the -2/3 is that for some reason when I'm in AV mode it won't let me change the exposure compensation? I found this out after I downloaded all the pictures that afternoon. Have you ever seen this problem with the 20D?

Upgrading to the 50D will not help unless you read the camera body manual.... I belive that Akos was on the right track. When you turn the 20D switch to On, I believe (I no longer have a 20D) that you have to push the switch up to the J-looking position. If it is just set to the On position, the thumb dial is locked. I could be wrong so let me know....

BTW. -50 points for not checking your histograms in the field and -50 more points for not checking exposure compensation in the field with each new situation you encounter.... You sir, are now way behind the 8-ball!

[DanWalters]

The repost is very nice. Like the grasses surrounding the bird.

[Brian Barcelos]

Dan, Thank you.

Akos & Artie, The switch was turned all the way up. It showed that the compensation changed but it wasn't applied to the capture. I know it sounds strange but that's what happened.

Artie, I did check the histogram and while it was leaning a little to the left, it was far from being pegged. Please take your points back.:D

[Arthur Morris]

Since you did make an effort to figure it out in the field, your 100 points are restored. Never heard of anything like it.....

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Brian,

Artie is a very tough man! But you are safe. :)

[Arthur Morris]

Safe for now....

[Brian Barcelos]

Ha Ha Ha, That's why I love this site. You guys are all great. I didn't take offense to Artie. Since he was(is) a teacher I know it's part of his instincts.;)
Bye the way, I got the exp. comp. to change. It must have just been stuck or something?! If it happens again I will have to get it looked at.