Warbling Vireo, warbling

[Bill Dix]

D90; 80-400VR @ 400mm; ISO 400, 1/1000s @f/5.6; Aperture Priority, Matrix metering, 0EV; AF-A.

This was taken back in May. These guys aren't always out in the open, but you can hear them, spaced about 50 yards apart along the shore of the local lake, each singing loudly to declare his territory. This image had a lot of PP to adjust for poor lighting and to remove a lot of offending branches. I was just beginning to learn masking and cloning technique, and I'm afraid it shows here. But I would appreciate some honest critique as to how well it holds up and how it might be improved, since I like the basic capture. Thanks.

[Harold Davis]

great calling pose, bill. love it!! there is a strong green color cast probably caused by light reflecting off the light green leaves. i played around with it in Ps for a bit. i didnt like the cast taken off the bg, but it sure looked better just off the bird. also, might try to remove the leaf intersecting the breast of the bird if you are so inclined. not major here. nice job!!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Bill - agree with Mr H on the strong green cast - would definitely remove from the bird. Like the singing pose - do see a few places were there are cloning marks and other bits from masking and working on the BG.
Might go back to the original and rework with what you have learnt since.
TFS

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Bill,
I like the capture...with a good head angle and eye contact...the details in the feathers are nice, but I too agree on removal of the greenish color cast....this one merits more attention, rework and repost...looking forward to it...:cool:

[Bill Dix]

Harold, Lance and Gus: Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I haven't taken the time I would need to go back and completely rework the original file, but I went back to an intermediate version and set a white point for the bird and branch which helped immensely. I also removed the worst of the cloning traces, and ran another round of Denoise on the BG, but there are still some artifacts from the original PS work and masking. I chose to retain the leaf that touches the bird. Still, I think it's better for a limited amount of rework, and I appreciate the advice.

[Harold Davis]

tons better, bill!! nice job on the color cast.

[Bill Dix]

tons better, bill!! nice job on the color cast.

Thanks Harold. For some reason it never had occurred to me that I could set the white point selectively just for the bird on a separate layer. It made a world of difference. You taught me a new trick. Thanks.

[Alfred Forns]

Great repost Bill !!!!

Excellent pose and bg !!! Great suggestions Harold !!

I think some fill flash would have help the original capture, might even have gone to 1/500 to make the light reach (if using) !!