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Thread: Bee-eater Feeding Time

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    Default Bee-eater Feeding Time

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    Canon 7D, 300mm f2.8is lens, monopod. S/speed 1/250s at f7.1, iso 250, Eval metering, Ai Servo, dialled back fill flash used. Cropped from 18 to 12.2mp. Processed in ACR6 and CS5, sharpened selectively. Location Savuti, Botswana. 16 Dec 2010, 15h23.
    Southern carmine bee-eater, adult on the RHS, and a recently fledged youngster on the left. These brightly coloured birds are flying about with their youngsters, who are able to fly quite well already but still in the process of learning to hunt insects on the wing. The adult brought this dragonfly as prey for the young bird. I had to use a hint of fill-flash to be able to darken the BG effectively, and it also enabled me to keep the iso low on the 7D. It was partially overcast, with a rather bright white sky.
    All C and C welcome.
    Grant

    www.grantatkinson.com

  2. #2
    Graeme Skinner
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    Fantastic image Grant.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Great interaction on this one Grant, but I think it needs a bit more 'punch' for me. I am sure you will get some good and positive feedback from the folk on here.

    cheers
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Thanks Steve and (Graeme (good to see you on here..when is your first post coming)), good to hear that you liked the image. This food pass happened very fast, and the adult bird first slapped the dragonfly on the branch to break it up a bit..so I fired off a few bursts and held my breath when reviewing to see if I had captured a good moment...
    cheers
    Grant

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    Perfect timing in this shot! Well done getting both in focal plane and the prey also.

    greetings,

    Jeroen Stel

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Well timed for the feeding behaviour Grant, and interesting to see the colour difference between the juvi and parent. Maybe a tad tight at the bottom, and I would maybe add a touch of linear contrast. ( image-adjustments-curves-linear contrast. ) Looking again, I would maybe selectively sharpen the Juvi's head.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Grant:

    Great interaction as mentioned, tells the story very well.
    I agree that the image is just slightly washed out, possibly from the fill light, which by the way is pretty subtle (I always like it when I can't tell if flash was used!)

    I would probably start with a slight downward adjustment of the midtones in curves, see if it gave a bit more punch. This image is so nice, its worth the work to polish it just a bit.

    Cheers

    Randy

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    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Great interaction, agree 100% with Randy's recommendation. Sharpness is outstanding

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    Hi guys, thanks for the comments, I will see what I can do about the contrast. Stuart, I have selectively sharpened the juvi's already, unfortunately the S/S of 1/250s wasnt quite enough to freeze the quick grab he made for the food, so I picked up a little softness there. Perhaps I will see if I can increase the amount a little.
    Thanks for the feedback.
    Cheers
    Grant

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    Here is the repost, thanks for the contrast tip, Steve and Stuart, and I have increased sharpening on the juvenile birds head. Added a little space below the tail.
    Thanks again for the help here guys. I managed to spend another couple hours with these birds again today but very few food passes, the youngsters develop by the day and the adults are getting tired of feeding them :)
    cheers
    Grant

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Well done Grant - I can see a huge difference.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Certainly adds some punch now Grant and in the right direction. :)

    BTW if you can and just a thought, but use the Opacity slider when you put your signature in, as you can vary the strength of colour and it's not so dominant then, less distracting IMHO.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Oh yeah, the repost is MUCH better!! Excellent interaction, comp, perch. I'd see if you could eliminate the two faint reflection circles above the juvie's head, and the bluish patch in LRC. Otherwise top notch stuff!!:cool:

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    Thanks Steve, my copyright normally sits lower but was in a rush with the repost.
    Thanks Daniel, good advice but I will probably leave as is..will avoid pixel work when i can...thanks again for commenting
    cheers
    Grant

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    Great improvement on the repost! I like the interaction, perch and prey in this one.

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    Grant, very very nice image, my most favorite bird in Africa

    Cheers, Ken

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    Terrific image Grant and re-post took this over the top
    TFS

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    BPN Viewer Haim Ziv's Avatar
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    Very exciting image. I like the repost much more.

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