Although I was always suitably impressed by the colours of Asian pheasants I never bothered taking many pix of them. Much preferred Birds Of Paradise etc on overseas trips like Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.
However there are several behind netting Asian pheasants @ Willowbank and I've caught the pheasant bug !!!
Here is a crop of a male Reeves Pheasant.
Pentax K10D & Tamron 70-300 @ 180mm.
400 ISO 1/125 @ F5.6.
Multi-segment metered @ around noon.
Only slight crop.
Ian Mc
Ian
I think you had some tough lighting for this bird. I grew up with wild pheasants on my farm and have a soft spot in my heart for them as they are now all gone. The whites appear to be blown. I'd either clone out or tone down the briight spot in front of the bird. You might try reworking this one to see if there is any detail to get back. I like the pheasant with his colorful feathers so he's definitely worth another trip to work with in perhaps better light.
Ian most of the work in zoos will be a times of harsh light If you get the animal in full shade is a big plus For mixed light don't even bother unless you are a demon with a flash and have the strength
In this image there are blown whites and shadow areas in DMax (100% black) Under exposing as Jeff suggest will tame the whites Now you have the blacks to deal with .... softer light is the answer !!!
Thanks Lana, Jeff and Al.
Appreciate your advice.
I usually keep the metering on minus 0.5 EV but that day decided to just leave it without EV adjustment.
Anyway I've reduced brightness, darkened curves and brushed out LH distraction.
This is one of my first attempts with brushing out !!!
Cheers: Ian Mc
Thanks Jim
Another reminder when trying for pix of the interesting and unusual to use high speed continuous to get best head turn.
I think I've got the message about blown highlights !!! LOL.
Cheers: Ian Mc
Colourful Pheasants.
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