Long-Billed Curlew

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 7D
500mm f/4
Gitzo/Wimberley
Standing in water.

1/1600 sec
f/8
ISO 400

I have shorebird envy. Living in upstate NY, I have little access to shorebirds, and have not had any sun or light here for days and days, with torrential downpours, so can't get to the few that are reported in one or two spots. So I went back to the pics I took in Feb in Tampa when I went out with Capt Shadle on the Hooptie Deux, and processed this for the first time. Wish there was a bit more of a head turn towards us. Wondering about the drop of water that has fallen off the bill. Keep it? Or clone out since it's not entirely discernible as a drop?
Curves, sharpening, NR in CS4. Cloned out some shiny water spots on bill.
Thanks so much for looking. Comments and critiques greatly appreciated.

[ramesh anantharaman]

Hello Mellisa,

I love the low angle here completely. the colours of the water look really beautiful. The bird is nice and sharp and the waliking pose is very cool. Coming to suggestions, could a ropund of NR on the water and BG be good!! The whites on the head and neck seam a tad bright to me on my monitor.

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent low angle Melissa, and Im fine with the pose as is. The Curlew is nice and sharp, and I would definitely keep the droplet. Maybe try and sharpen it a touch.

[Randy Stout]

Melissa:

I agree, keep the drop. I find the bird a bit too contrasty for my personal taste, might try a version with a bit less contrast, see what you think.

The wing looks a bit sharper than the head, possibly from the water on the head, should have had enough DOF with f/8.

Hope you get some sunshine and shorebirds soon.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

Hi Melissa,
I would definitely keep the drop. The BG and low angle are excellent. I like the walking pose.The HA is fine as it really shows off the long bill. I might selectively sharpen the head a bit but otherwise this is a good shot,
Gail

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. I worried about the contrast too, Randy, and had dropped it in LR a bit before posting. But it was still a bit evident to me, should have mentioned it. I just went back into CS4 and did a reverse S curve. Also dropped contrast a bit more in LR too. Still not sure it's ok in that respect. What do you think? Would appreciate any other suggestions to deal with it. PArt of the problem is that this was a JPEG capture as I was running out of room on my cards at that point, and switched from RAW for the last hour or two of our outing.
I did also sharpen the head a bit more, and the water drop too.

[Randy Stout]

Melissa;

I think it is better. I am on my work monitor, which is quite high contrast, but you def. are gaining on it. I will try to look tonight when I get home.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

This is much better! Well done,
Gail

[ramesh anantharaman]

A brilliant re post Mellisa. Looks Fabulous now. TFS

[Bill Dix]

Great capture, Melissa. HA looks good to me. Good low angle. I also noticed the contrast -- I guess that Florida sun is just a little strong at times -- but the repost is an improvement. Keep the drop.

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks so much to you all for your help and kind comments.

[Ofer Levy]

I have to be honest, I see very little difference between the two versions. I prefer the OP as colours look nicer.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot. Great low angle and pose. Well done.

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks for your comments, Ofer and Robert.