Osprey Wing Spread Landing

[Michael Stern]

Hi, Ospreys are starting to nest which provides for wonderful opportunities for landing photos...taken in the everglades today. Hope you like it and all suggestions/comments welcomed.
Best,
Michael

Details
Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 320

[Arthur Morris]

Nice timing and moment but I am betting that the whites are blown. Be right back.

[Arthur Morris]

Pay up. Please see the various threads on saving the highlights in the Eudcational Resources Forum. All free.

How are you converting?

[Bob Pelkey]

Observed Ospreys here carrying branches for their nests about a month ago, Michael. Great behavioral action in that. I would only suggest that you significantly lighten the branch in shadow under the bird to eliminate the distraction.

[Doug Brown]

Like the yellow eye, the concentration, and the talons. Light was a bit uneven, and as Artie pointed out, the whites look cooked. I also like the clouds in the BG.

[Harshad Barve]

Nice image with lovely wing pose , concentrated eye and talon position , Hot whites mentioned
TFS

[Michael Stern]

Thank you ALL for comments and suggestions....
The white on the head could not be recovered...I tried...
In fact I was able to recover some of the whites on the body just not the head...no pixels there!
I used a mask on the white area, created another layer, then used "multiply", then reduced the opacity to acceptable level....
Artie, I am not sure what you mean by "how are you converting"? I use raw image, CS3, make adjustments (such as recovery - as much as possible) and open image.
Best - thank you for your reply!!!!!
Michael

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Michael,

re:

I am not sure what you mean by "how are you converting"? I use raw image, CS3, make adjustments (such as recovery - as much as possible) and open image.

That is what I was looking for. How did you determine your exposure? What mode (Av, Tv, Manual) were you in?

If the whites on the head are truly un-recoverable, then you need to take a look at your understanding of exposure.

The only time that a competent photographer should produce a RAW file with highlights so over-exposed that they cannot be recovered is if they accidentally hit one of the dials while working in manual mode or if they accidentally dial in the wrong exposure compensation during frantic action...

Best - thank you for your reply!!!!!

YAW

[Michael Stern]

Hi Artie,
My bad,,,
I was Av
and 1/3rd over....
should have been even or maybe 1/3 under?
the sun was starting to get harsh...I could of would of should of check for blinkeys or histogram however he came in pretty fast. I guess close no cigar...:)
M

[Arthur Morris]

That 1n is a pretty much neutral camera whereas the MIII and 7D bodies need lots of light and the 40D/50D bodies need lots less light to produce an acceptable histogram in a given situation. Here the subject is mostly shaded--you could/should have figured that out in advance by considering the wind and the light angle. So the camera sees relative dark and opens up thus toasting the sunlit whites as expected.

Best advice: learn exposure theory by studying the chapter on EXP in ABP soft. Follow that up by studying EXP Simplified in ABP II (on CD). And follow that up by applying what you have learned to your camera body or bodies.

As I have said repeatedly, purchasing a $6,000+ lens does not make you a good photographer. There is lots of learning and studying to be done. You guys are lucky that the great info is available today. When I started in 1983 there was zero good info on EXP around. And, you guys have histograms!

If you have the book and the CD, start studying them. If not, you can save $10 by ordering them together.

Sorry to be so frank but the same message needs to be repeated until folks get it or the will never get better.