Susan, here is my best quetzal photo from my trip to Costa Rica last March. As I mentioned in your thread, advanced masking really helps improve your background. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, although I'm sure there are people with much more experience than I have on this forum.
Canon 30D, 500 f/4 IS, f/5.6, 1/100, ISO 800, flash
Hi Doug, To quote my very good friend, Linda Robbins, "Now you are looking for an ***-whooping!" Incredible image from the perfectly turned head to the perfectly curved tail and everywhere and everthing in between.
Please provide a link to the description of your techniques. Also, if it is not too much of a problem, post a J-peg of the converted RAW so that we can see the original BKGR.
Thanks and later and love, artie
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Doug -
Great photo with the classic quetzal pose. Good job with the background
As in susan's post - you can sometimes get sharper, less-saturated colors on red chest and green wing feathers if you sharpen outside of RGB mode
As per Artie - would be interested description of your masking techniques
Excellent job
You are killing me, and nearing "***-whooping" territory for getting the perfect shot of a species I lust after and one that has eluded me on numerous trips. If you manage to get an image of this remarkable bird without clipping the tail, it usually makes the body of the bird small in the frame....but your bird obligingly curled it's tail for you. It is truly a wonderful image from the pose, the perch, the nice background. I am so jealous!!!
Very nice shot. Would love to see this bird soon.
Nice technic with the bg. Wonder how you achieved.
Wish the head having a bit more detail and light.
Szimi
Dad: I love this quetzal. It made me smile as my eyes traveled across the peach fuzz-looking head. This quetzal's variety of colors amazes me. Nice picture! Go for an even better one next time. :)