Bud Ralston
May 2023 - Great White Egret
Original
About the Image(s)
A great white egret (Ardea alba) in breeding colors and full feather display sits atop a tree looking for a mating opportunity.
Nikon D850, Nikon 300mm f/4 PF, 1/1250 sec @ f/7.1, รข…” EV, ISO 160
The addition of Ai to most photo processing programs has led me to relook some of my older photos. This one was taken four years ago with a Nikon D850. It’s processed completely in Lightroom Classic. I cropped the image and then used LRC’s new Noise Reduction function. Then, I adjusted sliders to bring out feather detail and color in lore and eye.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
The introduction of all the AI technology seems to have everyone going back to the archives and revisiting old images that just didn't quite make the grade and trying to breathe new life into them.
I've been switching screens now for at least 10 minutes between the original and the new updated submission trying to see what has happened with the passage of years. When I look at the original the whole thing about breeding plumage is the long fine feathers. These have to be captured pin sharp in the original file and then they can be enhanced in the new technology. Try as I might I just can't fine that fine detail in the original and quite possibly this is why you chose to revisit the image with the new AI in your processing arsenal. At least to my eye there does not seem to be enough edge for AI to firmly grab onto to get it sharp. This may be due to the feathers being white to start with plus the fact that the original may be a bit on the overexposed side. I would suggest getting an image of a green heron, a great blue or a tricolor and trying the AI software on those because even it they are a bit soft the variety of colors will help provide some edges that the software may be able to grab onto.
Pictorially the scene is quite stunning with all the contrasting colors and the fluffy nature of the plumage adds a layer of interest. Bringing down the exposure a bit will certainly add pop to the image.
By the way, I've tried several experiments with the new Lightroom and do not feel that it is the magic bullet to cure all the flaws in old images. It is an improvement but not a cure-all. You might want to checkout Matt K on you tube as he has some good videos on this. But look carefully at the quality of the image he is working on before he applies the AI technology. He is making good images better, not make poor images good. Posted: 05/04/2023 15:44:25
I've been switching screens now for at least 10 minutes between the original and the new updated submission trying to see what has happened with the passage of years. When I look at the original the whole thing about breeding plumage is the long fine feathers. These have to be captured pin sharp in the original file and then they can be enhanced in the new technology. Try as I might I just can't fine that fine detail in the original and quite possibly this is why you chose to revisit the image with the new AI in your processing arsenal. At least to my eye there does not seem to be enough edge for AI to firmly grab onto to get it sharp. This may be due to the feathers being white to start with plus the fact that the original may be a bit on the overexposed side. I would suggest getting an image of a green heron, a great blue or a tricolor and trying the AI software on those because even it they are a bit soft the variety of colors will help provide some edges that the software may be able to grab onto.
Pictorially the scene is quite stunning with all the contrasting colors and the fluffy nature of the plumage adds a layer of interest. Bringing down the exposure a bit will certainly add pop to the image.
By the way, I've tried several experiments with the new Lightroom and do not feel that it is the magic bullet to cure all the flaws in old images. It is an improvement but not a cure-all. You might want to checkout Matt K on you tube as he has some good videos on this. But look carefully at the quality of the image he is working on before he applies the AI technology. He is making good images better, not make poor images good. Posted: 05/04/2023 15:44:25
I really like your capture of the breeding plumes and those lime-green lores. The bird's nicely posed in an attractive tree.
I like the overall brightness and colors of your edits. But in terms of gaining detail in the bird, I think it went backwards. Overall the birds' lacking contrast and there's a strange white haze in the plumes. Given that the ISO is only 160 there really wasn't any noise in the original- I don't use LR so not sure what the advantage to using that tool in LR could be for this image, I use Topaz Denoise and would not have bothered with it for this shot.
I downloaded the original and did just a bit with it in my Capture One program. Basically reduced highlights, added structure, and a small brightness increase. Posted: 05/09/2023 15:23:02
I like the overall brightness and colors of your edits. But in terms of gaining detail in the bird, I think it went backwards. Overall the birds' lacking contrast and there's a strange white haze in the plumes. Given that the ISO is only 160 there really wasn't any noise in the original- I don't use LR so not sure what the advantage to using that tool in LR could be for this image, I use Topaz Denoise and would not have bothered with it for this shot.
I downloaded the original and did just a bit with it in my Capture One program. Basically reduced highlights, added structure, and a small brightness increase. Posted: 05/09/2023 15:23:02
Bud a very nice image of the Egret and the action of the bird helps tell the story. I too don't think the AI worked for you and I don't know why. I use it and it works well when needed. Posted: 05/10/2023 10:46:57
Hi Bud, my eye immediately went to the lime green on the face of the bird. Along with the yellow eyes, that's very beautiful. Otherwise, it appears that the shadows might have been lightened a little too much. And I think the bird needs more space in the image, as in Cindy's crop. I once liked to "fill the frame" but now I like a lot more space in photos like this. Don't know why, probably old age. Posted: 05/12/2023 11:56:39
I've been coming back to this and the other images submitted this month and giving them a second look.
The thought that has been running through my mind constantly is this image is just not exciting and I've been trying to figure out why. I think I have come to the conclusion that it is two things. First there is the softness of the bird and the washed out detail. But I think the biggest thing is all that foliage. Michael says he likes more space and there is something to be said for creating the environmental portrait, but all those ordinary green leaves are just boring. There is a lot of them and they are not adding interest. There are no lines, patterns just greenery. I guess what I'm saying is that background and foreground matter and they must compliment the subject, not overwhelm it. Any thoughts? Posted: 05/12/2023 12:11:19
The thought that has been running through my mind constantly is this image is just not exciting and I've been trying to figure out why. I think I have come to the conclusion that it is two things. First there is the softness of the bird and the washed out detail. But I think the biggest thing is all that foliage. Michael says he likes more space and there is something to be said for creating the environmental portrait, but all those ordinary green leaves are just boring. There is a lot of them and they are not adding interest. There are no lines, patterns just greenery. I guess what I'm saying is that background and foreground matter and they must compliment the subject, not overwhelm it. Any thoughts? Posted: 05/12/2023 12:11:19
Bud,
Good for you that you are pulling out previous photos with the new software! Something I've been meaning to do! I agree with Larry and others about the white feathers. Getting the whites well exposed is the hardest part of shoot birds like this. The harsh sunlight on the bird's back has blown out any detail in the feathers. Try working on the hightlights slider in LRC. Posted: 05/13/2023 10:24:54
Good for you that you are pulling out previous photos with the new software! Something I've been meaning to do! I agree with Larry and others about the white feathers. Getting the whites well exposed is the hardest part of shoot birds like this. The harsh sunlight on the bird's back has blown out any detail in the feathers. Try working on the hightlights slider in LRC. Posted: 05/13/2023 10:24:54
Comments are all well received. That's why I come here to learn from honest appraisals. Posted: 05/13/2023 11:55:38