Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: January project: Winter!!: Junco

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default January project: Winter!!: Junco

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    It was 0 degrees this morning and the song birds were out in full force gathering feed to stay warm, It's not often I catch the Junco's perching so it was a nice treat to get a few images of them perched on something other than the ground.

    TFL

    Chad

    Shot from the van using a bean bag
    Model = Canon EOS-1D Mark IV with 500mm + 1.4x
    Focal Length = 700mm
    Exposure Time = 1/1600"
    F Number = F8
    Exposure Program = Manual
    ISO Speed Ratings = 800
    Last edited by Chad Caswell; 01-09-2011 at 06:51 AM.

  2. #2
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Chad:

    Looks like winter to me!
    Nice detail in the snow, it is that dry fluffy looking stuff you get when it is really cold.
    Excellent exposure.

    My only observation would be that there must of been some shadows on the scene, as the lighting is a bit uneven, and the bird isn't quite as well illuminated as some other areas. I appreciate how dark juncos are, but it still looks like the upper part of his body is shaded a bit.

    Normally I would say the perch is too massive for this little fellow, but the snow really softens it.

    Cheers

    Randy

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    fantastic soft light and colors. I like the detail...But the perch makes this image for me! Nicely done Chad

  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good exposure, and I like the pose with the tail following the perch.

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love juncos, and your image showcases this species very nicely. I have never seen such a saturated pink bill on one though...did you boost its colour in post? I like the perch, but find the big snow mound in the BG a bit much IMO and would have preferred the image without it (I do love the snow dusting elsewhere on the perch though...very nice).

  6. #6
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I love everything about this one. Everything: the cute little pink bill, the head angle, the perch, the SH, and the soft light. Dan is right though, the head is too dark. I did a Tim Grey Dodge and Burn on it and then removed a few specks that became more visible when I did so.

    Then a bit off the bottom.
    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.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Chad:

    Looks like winter to me!
    Nice detail in the snow, it is that dry fluffy looking stuff you get when it is really cold.
    Excellent exposure.

    My only observation would be that there must of been some shadows on the scene, as the lighting is a bit uneven, and the bird isn't quite as well illuminated as some other areas. I appreciate how dark juncos are, but it still looks like the upper part of his body is shaded a bit.

    Normally I would say the perch is too massive for this little fellow, but the snow really softens it.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Thanks for the C&C Randy, this was taken using filtered light through a pine tree top :)
    Although juncos are dark its tough to get any detail out of the blacks while exposing the whiter bottoms of them correctly, I did a small amount of dodging on the upper half.

    Chad

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dumay Boulle View Post
    fantastic soft light and colors. I like the detail...But the perch makes this image for me! Nicely done Chad
    Thank you so much Dumay :)

  9. #9
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Bowie View Post
    Good exposure, and I like the pose with the tail following the perch.
    Thank you Stuart :)

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux View Post
    I love juncos, and your image showcases this species very nicely. I have never seen such a saturated pink bill on one though...did you boost its colour in post? I like the perch, but find the big snow mound in the BG a bit much IMO and would have preferred the image without it (I do love the snow dusting elsewhere on the perch though...very nice).
    Thank you for the C&C Daniel, I boosted the color ever so slightly on the bill, I made sure I did not change hue's but rather sampled the color and did a 8% over painting just to add a smiggin' :D

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    I love everything about this one. Everything: the cute little pink bill, the head angle, the perch, the SH, and the soft light. Dan is right though, the head is too dark. I did a Tim Grey Dodge and Burn on it and then removed a few specks that became more visible when I did so.

    Then a bit off the bottom.
    Hey Artie, thanks for taking the time to do this rework, it looks great, I pushed the D&B but you took it to the next level, I like it :) Thanks again for the thoughtful praise as well :)

    Chad

  12. #12
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You are welcome on all counts Chad. I got bored photographing them on the plain snow from the car in my Mom's front yard two weeks ago....
    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.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics