High-Key Reddish Egret

[WIlliam Maroldo]

SonyA850~Sony70400G@400mm~ISO1600~1/2000sec~F8~manual exposure~overcast~HH~4-20-2011~Bryan Beach(near Freeport), Texas~CS5
I have a number of images of these guys taken this year in light of varying contrast, from the soft low contrast light of overcast skies to higher contrast late afternoon light. Although the background is overexposed (high-key) with this image, I prefer the even exposure and lack of the distraction caused by shadows that occur with higher contrast light. I did not use noise reduction, and looking at the image at 100% indicates that it might need it. However, after downsizing to web size I don't notice a noise problem, and was wondering if it is a problem I need to deal with. Comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill

[Kerry Perkins]

Bill, nice capture and great placement to get the bird moving toward you. I don't see a noise problem at this image size, but it might be a problem for you in original if you convert for printing. Soft light is always good but I feel that a little more contrast in the PP would help this image. The head and neck are sharp but sharpness seems to fall away before getting to those nice wings. Just a touch of contrast (or adding black to the blacks in selective color) might be all that it takes. I can't decide whether it needs a little CW rotation or not, could be the pose. Good capture!

[John Chardine]

Beautiful and classic wing position Bill. I like the way the plumes are wafting to the right, maybe from the movement of the bird as it hunts. I like the composition. I don't see too much noise on my monitor. Agree with Kerry that a bit more contrast would give a boost. I wish the bill-tip were a bit more defined against the neck feathers but not much you can do here.

[Martha Weaver]

I like this bird. There were some I could always find on Galveston Island, but since Ike they haven't been there. Is this one of my birds?

It is, as said above, a very nice capture with the bird coming toward you. I'm in agreement about the added contrast in the bird, especially the wings, though I do like the high key background.

[Troy Lim]

Bill,
The color seems a bit off, could be WB issue? Can someone else confirm?

[John Chardine]

I just used the handy Digital Colormeter bundled with all Macs and looked at the BG water- it is running A = 0, B = +2 (give or take) in LAB. So the BG is slightly on the warm side in channel B, which equates to a very slight yellow tinge. This could easily me explained by the light that day or the colour of the water. I don't see a big issue here.

[Troy Lim]

I just used the handy Digital Colormeter bundled with all Macs and looked at the BG water- it is running A = 0, B = +2 (give or take) in LAB. So the BG is slightly on the warm side in channel B, which equates to a very slight yellow tinge. This could easily me explained by the light that day or the colour of the water. I don't see a big issue here.

John,
Please correct me if I am wrong.
High key images are often created when the subject and the BG have a big gap in exposures. When exposure the subject properly, your BG are often ended in almost pure white.
If it is warm, which usually is shortly after sunrise, the exposure difference between the subject and the BG should not have been in such a big gap that it allows you to create a high key shot.
I am just trying to understand the shooting condition of how and when this image is created and hopefully William can help.

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Thanks John, the color of the water was a sandy (slightly yellowish) brown.
Troy: actually high key images are are created in low contrast light, where by defintion the diference between the brightest and darkest parts of the image are less than in high contrast light. The warmth, or color shift, has nothing to do with the amount of contrast. Contrast has everything to do with the diffusing (light scattering) effect of the atmosphere( dust, clouds, mist, smoke, etc). The more the light is made diffuse, the lower the contrast. Light can be high contrast right after sunrise, regardless of a color shift, but fortunately since the light has so much more atmosphere to travel through than at midday, it is more likely to encounter a diffusing element.
The reason low contrast is necessary for high-key is that it is possible to overexpose a subject much more without clipping its highlights, and thus maintain it's detail. A background that is lighter than the subject will consequently be clipped, which means distracting detail is gone as well.
In high contrast light even moderate overexposure will clip the lightest part of the subject and detail will be lost.
High key images can be made in what you would at first glance be considered high-contrast light, by shooting the backlit side of the subject. But the backlit side is actually completely illuminated by low contrast light. regards~Bill

[Troy Lim]

Thank you for the explanation Bill.
I always like high key shot.

Thanks John, the color of the water was a sandy (slightly yellowish) brown.
Troy: actually high key images are are created in low contrast light, where by defintion the diference between the brightest and darkest parts of the image are less than in high contrast light. The warmth, or color shift, has nothing to do with the amount of contrast. Contrast has everything to do with the diffusing (light scattering) effect of the atmosphere( dust, clouds, mist, smoke, etc). The more the light is made diffuse, the lower the contrast. Light can be high contrast right after sunrise, regardless of a color shift, but fortunately since the light has so much more atmosphere to travel through than at midday, it is more likely to encounter a diffusing element.
The reason low contrast is necessary for high-key is that it is possible to overexpose a subject much more without clipping its highlights, and thus maintain it's detail. A background that is lighter than the subject will consequently be clipped, which means distracting detail is gone as well.
In high contrast light even moderate overexposure will clip the lightest part of the subject and detail will be lost.
High key images can be made in what you would at first glance be considered high-contrast light, by shooting the backlit side of the subject. But the backlit side is actually completely illuminated by low contrast light. regards~Bill