HappyMe

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I am so relieved to have my lens back and in great working condition. I was getting so depressed with my soft images now I know why. The lens arrived yesterday late so I headed out for a late afetrnoon test run. This was taken at a local pond. Just got a new computer and CS5 so my NR plug in not in yet. Does the bg need NR? Sharpened the moorhen 60%of original


Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 640
Lens EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x

C&C always Thanks

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Cheryl, one thing for sure, you have exposed the Moorhen very well, and I like the hint of the water's reflection on the chest area. Good job with the overall sharpness too - lens looks like its doing its job. Comp wise, I do find the green reflections on both both sides of the image a touch distracting.

Hope you dont mind, I thought I would post what I had in mind.

cropped around the moorhen
then added space on the right
smoothed out the water in only the top half of the image using the blur tool at 60%

[girisholeti]

Very well exposed image. I too would love to loose distracting green reflection.

[gail bisson]

Inquiring minds want to know : what was wrong with your lens?
As to the image, very sharp and great HA. Good exposure on the blacks. A lower POV would have been great. I have never been a fan of longer necked birds that are leaning forward but that is a personal taste thing.
I like your looser crop (maybe something in between yours and Stuarts') but would add more space in front of the bird and crop to the green band edge behind the bird,
Gail

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hi Cheryl, one thing for sure, you have exposed the Moorhen very well, and I like the hint of the water's reflection on the chest area. Good job with the overall sharpness too - lens looks like its doing its job. Comp wise, I do find the green reflections on both both sides of the image a touch distracting.

Hope you dont mind, I thought I would post what I had in mind.

cropped around the moorhen
then added space on the right
smoothed out the water in only the top half of the image using the blur tool at 60%

Thanks Stuart, I do think a tighter crop would be better yet after viewing your crop I noticed the green band in the middle over the bird which I hadn't seen before. I am at least happy you all said it was sharp.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Inquiring minds want to know : what was wrong with your lens?
As to the image, very sharp and great HA. Good exposure on the blacks. A lower POV would have been great. I have never been a fan of longer necked birds that are leaning forward but that is a personal taste thing.
I like your looser crop (maybe something in between yours and Stuarts') but would add more space in front of the bird and crop to the green band edge behind the bird,
Gail

Hi Gail, Thanks yes I agree maybe somewhere in between. My lens was not giving me sharp images and I was getting soo depressed. Sent it to Canon it was a problem with the focus ring. Could have been sand as God knows it happens here when you shoot on your belly.

[Arthur Morris]

I prefer the ORIG comp with lots of the wake on the left. When I viewed the ORIG it seems completely natural to me. Thanks to Stuart for the optional repost. Love the perfect head angle.

[Dave Leroy]

Bird looks happy as well. Nicely exposed and nice and sharp. I liked the composition in the first but might tone down the green stripes at each side a bit.

[Don Lacy]

Just got a new computer and CS5 so my NR plug in not in yet.

Hi Cheryl, After you size the image for web viewing copy the background layer select the subject inverse the selection so the BG is now selected run PS noise reduction keep it on the basic tab no need for anything fancy since you're only applying the NR on the BG between 6-10 for strength. After your finish with NR inverse the selection again now only the subject will be selected run you're sharpening I use smart sharpen amount usually between 40-60 and radius around .3 to 1. depending on subject and have it set to correct lens blur again use the basic tab. Now you have selectively applied NR to the BG rarely does the subject need it and selectively sharpen the subject again you should never sharpen OOF or solid color BG. Nice Moorhen I really like the color in the water and perfect HA, glad your lens is working properly now.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice light and golden water. I like your original crop, but not so much the green band skimming the right (I'm OK with the green band at left). The touch of blue in the rippling water is neat. Techs look good.

Glad your lens is in good working order now!!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Thank you

[Ofer Levy]

I am with Artie in here! Like the composition in the original post. Beautiful light and colours.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I am with Artie in here! Like the composition in the original post. Beautiful light and colours.

Me too Ofer thanks. I'm not liking that green band in the middle though. Should we record you first comment for the history books? LOL It's all about world peace today