This is the first image taken with the new camera my wife gave me for Christmas. The Nikon D7000 was accompanied by a 300mm F4 with a 1.7 teleconverter.
1/500th, F10, 280 ISO, 0.0 exposure bias
This was taken at the Hatchie Wildlife Refuge. I was not as close as I would have liked, therefore, the shot is cropped a good bit. Also, the sun wasn't at a good angle so the bird is whiter than I would have liked (but it is a white bird).
We are going back to the refuge in a couple of weeks. What changes should I consider? Thanks for any feedback.
I like the composition and detail in the feathers. I'd recommend editing out the hallow that I'm guessing was created when you sharpened the image. It gives it an artificial look.
Mike, your image is sized at 8.9 x 7.6 inches and, at a resolution of 72, that's only 640 on the long side and 545 on the height. The guidelines will let you go to 1024 x 800 so you still have room to go if you want.
I like your composition very much with the slope of the rocks and the rock/stump out in the water. If you check your histogram you'll see that the rocks/dirt he's standing on are too dark - you've got a spike on the left side. Bringing up those darks in RAW or with a shadow / highlight adjustment will help bring out some of the detail that's missing.
You do have a halo around the bird so back off the sharpening or mask the sharpening layer with a mask so only the bird gets sharpened. That should help with the halo issue.
When you go back, my one suggestion would be to get the light in the right spot and let the birds come to you. Also, try for early morning or late afternoon light as you'll have less trouble getting a good exposure. White birds with dark BG's can be fairly tricky in full sun so do yourself a favor and get there early and place yourself in the best possible position.
Mike, congratulations on a real nice set up. I have a friend with that 300/4 and he loves it! I think you will really enjoy that combo.
Good pose. I am relatively new to all this, so I may be off but I would suggest shooting at f/8 if you have the 1.7 TC on. I am not sure you need to be at f10. When shooting the white birds, it is easy to overexpose the whites and blow them out, losing detail. I would consider -1/3 to -2/3 exposure compensation. The ISO capability of the D7000 is supposed to be very good, so I would think you can shoot with a higher ISO to allow these adjustments.
I agree with Dawn , it might be over sharpened. Now, all that said, I could be off and I welcome any others to correct me as needed so that I learn as well. TFS and I look forward to seeing more from that combo!
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. When we get back from our next trip to the refuge, I'll post another, hopefully, better shot. Tom, the brown trout was caught from and released back to the White River in north Arkansas. She was about as big around as she was long. My biggest to date. Six pounds plus, 22 inches long, 18 inches in girth.
Egret on Log
