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Thread: Purple Gallinule

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    Default Purple Gallinule

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    It has been forever since I posted an image as the rigors of day to day life took over my time to get out and do any photography. For the last month though there has been a much ballyhooed Purple Gallinule hanging out here in northern Ohio about 20 minutes from home that I got a chance a couple weeks back to photograph. The bird is extremely tame and offered many great photo opps on the day I got to go check it out. I thought I would share one of my more favorite shots. Thanks for looking and any critiques are greatly appreciated.

    Matt

    Canon 40D, 300mm + 1.4x converter, 1/800th, f 6.3, ISO 400, on a tripod.

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    It's a great bird to have around. You did an excellent job capturing it.
    I like the colors and the walking motion captured and the large feet.

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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    I really like the pose with the outstretched foot and the intent look on the birds face. Good sharpness and exposure - though I think the image would be even stronger had the light been less harsh. The light areas in the ULC and LLC tend to draw my eye away from the bird - you might consider toning those down a bit. :)

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Matt:

    Very attractive bird with great feet. Well exposed, nice pose. Steve hit the important point about the relatively harsh light. The dark shadows on the leaves behind the breast do catch my attention, perhaps try to soften/lighten the shadows there a bit.

    Agree with Steve about toning down the hot spots.

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Way good bird for OH. Yes to harsh light. Many overexposed pixels in the JPEG.... Best to check out the various threads on REDs and YELLOWs in Educational Resources and start over. Did lots for the repost: reduced CYAN, RED, and YELLOW SAT. Lightened face. Reverse S curve. Eye doctor work on pupil.
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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Artie:

    I didn't do it earlier, because I hadn't noticed any loss of detail, even in the bill, to suggest blown pixels, but in response to your post, I did pull it up in photoshop. I didn't see any blown pixels in ACR, and when I checked the curves panel, blown pixels showed up as one or two on the bill.

    Am I missing a more subtle way to check for blown pixels?

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Well done Matt! Great timing for sure!

    Anxious to see Artie's response regarding the blown pixel issue. Honestly, looking at the original image, I wouldn't have even considered checking for blown pixels since it seems to well exposed.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Artie: I didn't do it earlier, because I hadn't noticed any loss of detail, even in the bill, to suggest blown pixels, but in response to your post, I did pull it up in photoshop. I didn't see any blown pixels in ACR, and when I checked the curves panel, blown pixels showed up as one or two on the bill. Am I missing a more subtle way to check for blown pixels? Cheers Randy
    Not sure of a JPEG in ACR.... IAC, I opened the image in Photoshop, opened a Levels Adjustment Layer, and held down the ALT key while hitting the Highlight Slider, and voila, loads of pixels showing as over-exposed. I thought that everyone knew that :)
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Artie

    I checked the same thing in. Curves as mentioned. Just a couple hot ones.
    Thought it worked the same. On phone, so can't. Compare.

    Randy

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Matt, I like the walking pose, and good to see the large foot. These guys have lovely colours.

  11. #11
    Ákos Lumnitzer
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    Light a bit unkind but an absolutely stunning bird Matt. Well caught with the leg up. Glad you enjoyed the experience. :)

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