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Thread: Kestrel

  1. #1
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Default Kestrel

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Canon R6
    f/4 400mm DO Mk2 at 560mm
    f/5.6
    1/5000
    ISO 3200

    Another one from my time at the Kestrel Hide. I managed this shot whilst the bird was flying towards me, low to the ground. The BG is grasses and nettles. Gimbal Head. ACR and PS. About 60% of the original frame.

    Will

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Will ... another super shot from that location , very well executed .
    I do like the overall image and specially the head on approach .
    Subject nicely separated from the BG with a nice tonal range , details and sharpness very nice .
    Personally not to fuzzed about your chosen WB and/ or color grading , does look quite red/magenta to me ....

    Other than that I am kind of envious

    You must have had a great time

    Cheers Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Will again a nice flight shot, but for me two things I'm not a fan of, but you can address these which I think you'll see makes a difference.

    Firstly I feel the DN is a bit too hefty, killing some of the finer detail, but the crop could also impact? No problem having a little grain in the backdrop, but also the BKG nettles are competing with the subject, having better separation will offer greater standout for the subject. Ideally you want more distance. I would also reduce the overall blue by almost 75%.

    Good you had the SS and a reasonable ISO, just watch adding Black Contrast & Clarity.


    Glad you had a good time, I knew you would and fill your boots, we are heading back there next Friday with a view to discussing some major changes, so it might look a bit different perhaps when you come back and try some new stuff too. Give me a heads up next time, be a good craic!

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Will, I personally like this image a lot. The bkg doesn't bother me because the Kestrel stands out so much and it's such a dramatic image in terms of pose and drawing the attention of the viewer. If you wanted to dodge or blur the darker brown stalks/branches that could help a bit.

    Crop works well for me and you handled the shadows very nicely IMO.

    I could see the head being masked just a little with some magenta but it really doesn't appear obvious in any way. You might be able to pull a touch more selective sharpening on the head.

    A truly nice image though, I'd love to have it!

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Ákos Lumnitzer's Avatar
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    Other than being a bit more punchy with contrast, it seems fine to me.
    Good that you are getting some nice kestrel action, Will!

  6. #6
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Hi Will, I recognise the colour issue!! The balance doesn't look quite right to me either though I am no one to talk! Looks pretty good but I tend to agree perhaps a little too much smoothing out - was it perhaps excessive NR or maybe adding Clarity in the wrong places - I have done this myself in the past and recognise similar issues. Worth having another look see I would suggest because it looks like a good capture.

  7. #7
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Thanks for the comments guys.
    Took on board the white balance issues etc. I have lots more Kes images to process, so plenty practice.

    Will

  8. #8
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Hi Steve. Are you moving perches, sounds good. I will be returning, probably in a couple of months time. I'll drive down through the night, spend the day in the hide, sleep over in the hotel 5 mins from the hide, drive back next day. As you said will be a good craic.

    Will

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