Another "BSK" Testing whites!
I tried this on an older RAW file after reading Artie's article.
Went into CS3 ACR and tried to find blown whites and highlights the way that Artie suggested and could not.
I need a base mark to start from and I wonder what the opinions are on this Image.
Canon EOS-1D MKIII, 400mm f/5.6 at f/6.3, 1/1000 sec., ISO-400, Pattern metering, AP, +o.7 step.
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Chris
This has the look of a large crop...was it? The whites look fine but there's so much noise in the image that it seems to overpower any detail. I know that you can't always control where they perch but this seems a pretty steep angle and pretty tight, especially on the bottom. The bird is a beautiful bird. If this is a large crop, you might rework it so that it's not so tight and possibly be able to gain back some detail.
Chris:
As posted, the image is pretty underexposed, so not surprised there are no blown whites. Also lots of noise, which makes me think it had been even more underexposed and you brought it up a bit (exposure compensation in post.
As I mentioned before, I would strongly encourage you to do some controlled shooting, with a stuffed animal so you can really work through all the settings and post techniques without factoring in the subject moving, the lighting changing, etc.
That is the same tech. you use when learning studio lighting. Most models get pretty tired of sitting still that long, but the average teddy bear doesn't seem to mind.
Just like any science experiment, you want to control as many variables as you can, while working on one particular question (ie., exposure, post processing, etc.
Just my opinion, but it is probably the fastest way to get a good handle on exposure/post processing.
Good luck
Randy
One of my favorite birds, It looks like a juvenile as the eye is still orange and has not turned red. In terms of the whites ,which I am presuming is why you posted the image. they look a tad dull to me and more grey than white. With a subject like this it is hard not to blow the whites as their plumage is very white. I would say you have some more room to move here, try and get the plumage to look as white (natural) as possible without blowing the whites, otherwise you will end up with a drab and dull looking subject.
Thank you both I hate the shot and guess what? I today purchased two "Pandas, one small and one medium to practice on"
My better beemer should be ariving soon and yes it was a big crop but owing to vehicular restrictions (I can no longer drive so whatever lens I use must fit on my motrobike) my largest lens is the 400 f/5.6 (which I love)
I will set up my "Pandas in the garage tomorrow" and start practicing (don't worry, I won't post any here)
Thanks for your patience and help.
Chris
Chris
Don't laugh but I have a stuffed Moose that I call "Christmas moose" because he has a bell and red/green ribbon around his neck. That moose has been photographed in the shrubs, in the light, against the light, and just about everywhere I can think. I wasn't working on whites but I was trying to learn more about my flash. You're doing just fine.......good luck with the Pandas!!!
Which is exactly what I have here.otherwise you will end up with a drab and dull looking subject.
Back to the drawing board, but with your help, I will get there, in the meanwhile I get to spend many hours a week with these two young birds which is a pleasure and believe me I spend many more hours observing than photographing.
I borrowed a friends 500 f/4 and the bloody lens was to cumbersome to carry through the bush so back to my 400 f/5.6.
Chris:
Actually you can post the pandas, just in the animal forum!
I think you will find you can learn a lot working with them. I would keep a little log of different exposures, shooting in manual so you are in complete control, and then see how things change with your different settings. Watch your histogram as you shoot, so you will get an idea of what a particular histogram translates to in the raw file.
By all means, shoot outside too, at different times of day, so you can see the effect of the harshness of light vs. soft light, how it effects your exposure balance, etc.
It should be fun, and very educational!
Randy
Thank you Lana, worst come to worst, I get to go to China for the real thing:)good luck with the Pandas!!!
Thank you Randy, the larger Panda is named after you and Artie is the little one! I hope he does not see this.:D
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