Pygmy Nuthatch

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Greetings. Previously posted un-processed version in Avian:About Birds some time ago for identity help:



D3 200f2 + TC20EIII (400mm) 1/640 f/5.6 -0.33EV ISO1600 HH
about 50% linear crop, Topaz InFocus, LAB Curves for contrast & color, mild sharpening

Tiny, fast moving... very happy to get this one perched for a moment & upright.

Thanks for looking...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Kevin Giannini]

Hello Michael,

Stunning in my opinion! I'm fairly new at critiquing, but I really can't offer any suggestions for improvement - I think the crop is great, the background is very smooth and pleasing, and the exposure/whites on the bird are great! For ISO 1600 the BG looks very noise-free so I imaging you applied some selective NR? Great shot, and I really like your processing. I'd be interested to know how long ago you posted in Avian so I could look at the unprocessed file.
Regards,
Kevin

EDIT - I just found your original post from May!

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Stunning in my opinion! I'm fairly new at critiquing, but I really can't offer any suggestions for improvement - I think the crop is great, the background is very smooth and pleasing, and the exposure/whites on the bird are great! For ISO 1600 the BG looks very noise-free so I imaging you applied some selective NR? Great shot, and I really like your processing. I'd be interested to know how long ago you posted in Avian so I could look at the unprocessed file.
Regards,
Kevin

Kevin,

Greetings. Thanks for the comment... No NR (the D3 is great at 1600)...
In Avian: About Birds (not Avian):

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...Pygmy-Nuthatch

This was still cropped. The differences in processing is the original was converted/cropped in LR with vanilla settings including a set 5260K WB. The processed version is converted with NX2 with various custom WB and conversion settings to taste (I think NX2 does a much better job in conversion). No NR in conversion. Regular processing in PS here with Topaz InFocus, LAB curves, Smart Sharpen, toned down a couple of bright spots with a selective LAB curves layer.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Joel Eade]

Great pose and technique, I believe you could really make this pop with just a little more sharpening of the bird and maybe a slight boost in mid-tone contrast or a levels adjustment.

Very nice, I enjoyed looking at it!

[John Chardine]

Hi Michael- Yes this is a good one! I liked it when I saw it the first time. Love the simplicity of the design. On my calibrated monitor there is a yellow cast to the image (diagnosed in LAB colour). This is easily removed by adjusting Curves on the B channel of LAB. You can also do this in RGB.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Michael,

Good one, love the natural setting. Agree with Joel's comments (mid tones and sharpening). Thanks for sharing, nice moment with nature.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Joel, John, Jeff,

Thanks much for the suggestions. I knew it needed a tweek or two...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

With the tweeks (selective Topaz Detail, LAB curves, selective Smart Sharpen):



Thanks for looking...

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hey, Michael, I love the repost. Great pose and composition and I love the food in his mouth