Erik Rosengren, FPSA, PPSA  


Glossy Ibis by Erik Rosengren, FPSA, PPSA

April 2021 - Glossy Ibis

About the Image(s)

How I did it—A couple of weeks ago the “Fab 5 group” ventured to Myakka State Park, located 1 Hr. 15 min S.E. of Largo off Rt. 75 to the East. We were treated to beautiful AM light and 11 or 12 different species of birds. I was immediately drawn to a Glossy Ibis tossing, what appears to be a clam shell in the air. My tools for the day were a monopod mounted Olympus E-M1 Mark 111 mirrorless body sporting a 40-150 mm f2.8 lens plus a 2X extender. My settings were 640 ISO, f8 @ 800th of a second. The soft light brought out it’s varied colors and accentuated the water drip waterfall. P.P. included work in Bridge-Filter-NIK Collection-Define 2 (reduces noise)-File-save as-save-Topaz-AI Clear (final sharpening) Finished.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
I'm envious. You have captured a bird I don't see often with a background that complements, not distracts, from the main subject. From my experience this is outstanding composition. I think that the sunlight on the feathers, yielding what seems to be a 'metallic' appearance, adds to the uniqueness of the image. For me the droplets add yet another dimension to this image.

To my eye the small feathers in the head and the eye (especially given that the bird has another similarly sized black spot) could be sharper and the eye alone a bit brighter. I have tried to do this in the VF.

Thanks for introducing me to DFine. I have it but have not used it to date.   Posted: 04/10/2021 11:16:47
Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
The image was sharp until AI Clear, in Bridge was used. At times it slightly softens some feather areas however, in my opinion, the over all image attains a better result.   Posted: 04/27/2021 10:34:46



R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
  Posted: 04/10/2021 11:17:47
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Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
(Groups 36 & 67)
You did a good job of getting the bird and shell in an optimum position and with a neutral background as well.

While the face and shell look appropriately sharp---I find the highlights on the wing to be distracting. Perhaps a polarizer would have solved that issue.
  Posted: 04/10/2021 15:43:09



Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Erik, you captured the glossy Ibis at the peak of action right after was able to open the clam and empty it given by the droplets falling in a very ordinate fashion and completing the arch all the way down to the water which also frames the head of the bird. Being a glossy makes their feathers more reflecting of light causing the increased highlights. I did a selective adjustment only to the highlights in the feathers which took away the distraction, and still the image can be used in Nature competitions.   Posted: 04/12/2021 17:05:03
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Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
Thanks Isaac, I will now pay more attention, when in PP, to soften the glair, when necessary.   Posted: 04/27/2021 10:40:27



Guy Davies   Guy Davies
Erik, this is called 'the decisive moment'. The arc of water drops coming from the clam clearly shows action caught at just the right time. I am amazed at how the bird's feathers show so much gloss that it makes it look like a polished bronze statue. The high shooting point has given you a good plain background which is not distracting and yet is interesting with a subdued mixture of blues and browns. If you want to reduce the effect of the body highlights, one trick is to use the Shadows/Highlights adjustment in Photoshop on the default setting, which lightens the shadows without touching the highlights. Then to bring back the contrast you use a Curves layer in Luminosity Blend Mode so that only the tones are affected, and not the saturation.   Posted: 04/13/2021 09:21:41
Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
Thanks for your comments Guy, I regularly use S/H in post. Will try not to make that mistake in the future.   Posted: 04/27/2021 10:43:59



Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Erik
Your nature shots are always a delight to my eyes this one has left me open mouthed the bird itself is startling,but to get the complete arc of water from beak to the lake is a one in a million and you my friend nailed it,for me the gloss on the feathers does not bother me at all,this image would grace any magazine or nature publication.WOW   Posted: 04/16/2021 13:17:43
Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
Thanks for your kind remarks Ian. Best to you and your family.   Posted: 04/27/2021 10:45:20



Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Perfect. Tack sharp and it tells a story. Don't change anything. I'm not bothered by the gloss on the feathers either.   Posted: 04/26/2021 13:33:44