Jim Horn, QPSA
November 2023 - Female Merganser
Original
About the Image(s)
Sony α7R3a, Sony FE 2.8/70-200 GM II, f/11, 1/250 sec, 191mm, ISO 100
The final destination of our Rhine River cruise was Amsterdam. Our cabin had an elevated loft and large glass windows. This female merganser surfaced and swam right in front of me for several minutes. I tried to identify what variety this female is. It is not the common merganser also called a goosander in the UK (this bill is straight and dark) and it’s not the Eurasian merganser (white from the throat up behind the eyes). If any of you know what kind of merganser this is, please let me know.
In Photoshop used Camera Raw Filter to correct distortions in optics, in basic I reduced shadows and added vibrance – then used Topaz DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
Jim, nice shot. I see why you sharpened it and took it to Topaz for DeNoise also. I like to use Subject sharpen and not sharpen the background, and I wonder what it would look like if you did that and had not sharpened the water. I like the crop. Posted: 11/02/2023 13:25:48
Jim, nice bird, and good crop with the resulting image still with reasonable good sharpness after the gigantic crop. I think that the bird is dark and lacking color and detail. Using one of the masking brushes in ACR I just added light to the shadows. Posted: 11/02/2023 13:35:02
Isaac, your masking brushes helped show more depth to the colors and makes it more interesting. Thank you. Jim Posted: 11/02/2023 13:42:47
Hi Jim,
What a beautiful bird! I like the composition of the image. I think Isaac's changes really brought out the colors in the bird. Could it be the Great Crested Grebe?https://ebird.org/species/grcgre1
Posted: 11/02/2023 15:36:41
What a beautiful bird! I like the composition of the image. I think Isaac's changes really brought out the colors in the bird. Could it be the Great Crested Grebe?https://ebird.org/species/grcgre1
Posted: 11/02/2023 15:36:41
Sarita, YES. With the location in western and northern Europe this must be right for what I saw in the waters of Amsterdam. Thank you. Posted: 11/03/2023 09:55:55
I agree Isaac's changes did bring out the depth of the colors. A great capture as these birds love to dive under and are very quick. Had to be ready for the shot! Posted: 11/04/2023 16:37:16
Like others, I agree with Isaac and believe his editing made a world of difference. Nice capture. Posted: 11/08/2023 07:27:54