Boodjamulla Birds #5
This one is for Linda Dulak. A pair of Gouldian Finches courting in the early morning. This has turned out a bit high key and more like a painting than a photo. A heavily back lit scene (note the shutter speed) and only a moment to get the shot.
I've carved out a fair bit of the tree to simplify the image. A sizeable crop.
50D 100-400 @ 400 f6.3 1/6400 -2/3ev (because I didn't want flash overkill from the beamer) iso400 430EXII -2/3ev plus beamer.
the colors are very beautiful but the birds have no detail on them?
New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html
------------------------------------------------
Visit my blog
http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog
Yes, that's what I mean about it being more painted than photographed. It was just too under exposed and noisy to get detail.
Thanks, Colin! The mating ritual is really interesting to see. I love the positioning of the birds that you have here. What comes next is even more interesting. That male -- on the right -- will stand up and jump up and down on the perch. Then they go back to bowing and shaking their heads back and forth.
It's too bad that the scene was so back lit. You have the colors but not the feather detail. You might want to try a filter in PS to really add the artistic details here to make it appear even more like a painting. Look at the OOTB forum for ideas and help.
They are special birds!
Linda
I like the colors and composition as well, and too bad about the details. I don't think that it being backlit negates the ability to get details, just realize that with proper exposure, which may very well require a substantial increase in ISO (or drop in shutter-speed) since there isn't much light, the background will be blown and you will end up with high-key. The camera histogram graph won'y be useful, but you can look at the "blinkie" pattern to see if the subjects are being clipped.
Since the shadowed side of the birds is what you are photographing you are dealing with very low contrast light, which means you can push the exposure much more than otherwise. Then drop the exposure down in PP, increase contrast which will be needed when shooting in low contrast light, and you should be alright.
regards~Bill
Last edited by WIlliam Maroldo; 02-01-2011 at 03:14 PM.
Yes Linda, this was the bow after the dance
Thanks for the tips Bill, much appreciated.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote