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Thread: Keeping a close watch on Junior

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Keeping a close watch on Junior

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    This common loon chick and parent were imaged in Northern Michigan at the end of June. The chick was about 7 days old, and the parents were keeping a very close watch on him. Even when resting, they would keep an eye on the chick. I love the eye contact of the adult on the chick here.


    D700 600VR f/4 1/320s ISO 800 SB800 with beamer , -1.0
    Mounted on pedestal in bottom of my little boat, Loonie TOO.

    Post - selective sharpening, .6 degree rotation, darkened pupil to remove 'steel eye' look. 20% crop for comp.

    I thought about toning down the whites in the reflection a bit. Thoughts?

    Advice and comments always appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 08-10-2011 at 06:50 AM.
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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    The adult look looks as though it would feel like velvet in this capture, Randy. Love the mood and story here!!! When I loo at this picture, it makes me feel at peace.
    Marina Scarr
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    Nice shot. I would add a bit more room in front of the loon and less on left. I would also add a bit more contrast (my personal taste) and maybe run some noise reduction in a mask for the BG and FG. Nice low angle and atmosphere. Like the watching look of the adult over junior.

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    Beautiful image Randy! I like the composition, low angle, DOF, calm water and mother watching over the chick really makes the image. I am fine with the whites in the reflection.

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    BPN Member jack williamson's Avatar
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    I like looking at this. Mom and baby look very good, the reflection looks ok to me. Maybe a little NR on all of the water. I really like the calm feeling about this.

    Jack

  6. #6
    Ofer Levy
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    I like the mood in here. I think some boost in colours helps - WDYT?

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    Excellent image Randy. I love the muted colors and story told here.
    I prefer the original image over the repost.

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    I like what Ofer's done with the repost, but maybe somewhere in between the two? Love the serenity of this, what a magnificent shot.

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    Fantastic shot of both Mom and baby. I also like Mon watching, love the dark colours. Another vote for Ofer's version as I like the extra colour.

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    I really like the OP Randy. It is an excellent shot & is as good as it gets. I would leave the reflected whites as is. I also like the muted BG colors as it allows the loon to stand out more. Great image.
    Andrew

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    IOTY Winner 2010 Chris Kotze's Avatar
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    Bountiful image, I like the angle calmness and colours
    Chris Kotze

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hey Randy, you just seem to bring out the best in your Loon images - certainly another show of tranquility here. I like how the red of the eye stands out, and overall, you have exposed this very well with the subtle use of flash. Well done.

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    I agree about popping the colors a tad, maybe half as much or less than ofer did... Great eye contact from the chick to you, and mom was not taking her eye off the little one.

    It almost looks like two chicks if you look at the behind of the little one, I'm sure it was only one but it gives me that impression.

    Thoughts about toning the whites... I might just a tad but it does give a very nice reflection and adds to the image IMO.

    If you can, I would see about getting some more black detail in moms head, this could just be from the sizing process.

    Very affectionate shot Randy.. I didn't know you had it in ya

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    Randy, very nice. serene, eye contact with the chick, terrific blacks and sleeping posture helps keeping the comp. balanced. I think the whites in the refl are fine. Only issue I see is the noise in the BG.

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    this is terrific image nicve eye contact and details..i also think on removing whites in the reflection

  16. #16
    Danny J Brown
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    Randy -- What a wonderful moment you have captured. Images like this are what most of us are always after but they are not always easy to find. This one is very special.

    DB

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for the comments and input.

    Ofer - The saturation change does make the image more colorful and I could see just a bit of a boost. The original is very close to what it looked like in life, a dark, subdued morning. Somehow the slightly subdued look goes with the story for me

    Yves - boosting contrast is always a bit tricky with loons, as you are always flirting with dynamic range issues with them. More contrast can result in blown whites, blocked blacks or both. I really tried to tease out as much detail in the neck area, and was pleased with the nice green sheen I got to show, so will probably stick with current level of contrast. I do appreciate the input.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Love the OP. Very peaceful moment. I can see this hanging on the wall of a spa or therapist office!
    Gail

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    Really nice great moment and a very peaceful mood. I prefer midway to the repost.

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    Leave it as is Randy! A nice quiet and soft peacful image.

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