Jennie Wang
January 2025 - Sandhill Crane at Merced Wildlife Refuge
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
We took a trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge, California in November to photograph the Sandhill Cranes. It was amazing to see the number of birds taking off in the morning. I cropped the image, de-noised in Lightroom Classic, applied curve adjustment, and saturated the color.
I may share additional Sandhill Crane images over the next few months. One thing I learned about photographing birds is that only about 10% of the shots are worthy processing - there are many blurred and not usable images as the shutter was just firing so quickly. It was a good learning experience though.
7 comments posted
Great image and of course, I especially love the reflections. So engaging. I like the saturation on the birds themselves, but it is perhaps a bit distracting in the background greens. Not sure, but I wonder what it would look like if you knocked that back just a bit. Posted: 01/05/2025 15:01:38
I like the composition with the five birds, and the reflections make the image special. I like the way that you've allowed the reeds (?) at the bottom of the image to make a frame for the cranes, and give the image depth.
The original does look a little bland, and your treatment has made a great improvement.
As Bollin says, I would be interested in seeing if toning down the greens/yellows a little brings the birds out a little more, but it works for me as it is.
I'm just finding myself that bird photography is rewarding but difficult, and my keeper rate is certainly less than 10%! Posted: 01/12/2025 11:20:40
The original does look a little bland, and your treatment has made a great improvement.
As Bollin says, I would be interested in seeing if toning down the greens/yellows a little brings the birds out a little more, but it works for me as it is.
I'm just finding myself that bird photography is rewarding but difficult, and my keeper rate is certainly less than 10%! Posted: 01/12/2025 11:20:40
Hi Bollin, thank you for your suggestion. I see it now you pointed it out. I will try to learn how to use "Mask" to tone down the background area. Posted: 01/12/2025 19:32:04
Hi Brian, thank you for your comment. Interesting comment about the reeds at the bottom of the picture... I was not thinking about it when I did but now you pointed it out, yes, that made lots of sense.
Bird photography is hard as I am finding out. I am still more interested in micro-photography and taking pictures of plants (they don't move). Bird photography is a true test of patience (an area I need to work on). Less than 10% is normal, keep going Brian is that is what you enjoy. As long as you have a few amazing shots out of a 1000, it is all worth it! Posted: 01/12/2025 19:36:51
Bird photography is hard as I am finding out. I am still more interested in micro-photography and taking pictures of plants (they don't move). Bird photography is a true test of patience (an area I need to work on). Less than 10% is normal, keep going Brian is that is what you enjoy. As long as you have a few amazing shots out of a 1000, it is all worth it! Posted: 01/12/2025 19:36:51
Jennie, the image of the 5 birds with their reflection's is nice, but I agree with the comments made by Brian and Bollin.
Posted: 01/14/2025 17:01:34
Posted: 01/14/2025 17:01:34
Great image. I especially like the way some of the birds are dining while the others are keeping watch. I took the photo into Photoshop and used Selective color and the exposure adjustment panel to try out Brian and Bollin's suggestions, and cloned out a couple of white spots in the water. See what you think. Posted: 01/15/2025 01:21:05
I like the colors and the fact there is a odd number of birds. I think that always makes a stronger photo. I agree with the comments of Bollin and Brian and like the adjustments made by Audrey. Posted: 01/15/2025 20:24:11