Bill Ballard
May 2023 - Looking for Food
About the Image(s)
I photographed this shorebird looking for food on a beach near Westport Washington last week. Spring is their annual migration. The image was shot using a Sony A6600 with 100-500 Tamron lens set at 500mm. Settings were 1/2500 sec, F11 and ISO at 1600. ON1 Raw software was used for all edits that included denoise, adding glow and a white vignette.”
10 comments posted
Nice sharp capture of the bird Unfortunately its eye is in shadow For a fine art image I would lighten the eye.
In nature competitions one is not usually allowed to alter reality I would crop down more from the top from the left and the right
I cropped used Topaz Studio 2 and Nik Viveza 2 to brighten the eye and face Posted: 05/05/2023 01:26:39
In nature competitions one is not usually allowed to alter reality I would crop down more from the top from the left and the right
I cropped used Topaz Studio 2 and Nik Viveza 2 to brighten the eye and face Posted: 05/05/2023 01:26:39
thanks for your constructive comments Posted: 05/05/2023 10:30:07
Thanks for your comments including suggestions to brighten and sharpen the bird's head. I tried both in editing and decided to only lighten the shadows slightly. The sharpening suggested by Judy, which I did try, did and does not look realistic and thus I did not do it. As to the lightening of the head, that side of the head was in dark shadow. Lightening a little was ok, but to the extent suggest, makes it not realistic. There was nothing in the scene that would have reflected light in that direction. The bird was partially backlit. Posted: 05/12/2023 15:47:53
It definitely looks better with the eyes and face shown clearly in any portrait shot.
If the water is calmer, the reflection of the bird would enhance the overall picture.
Posted: 05/06/2023 01:03:31
If the water is calmer, the reflection of the bird would enhance the overall picture.
Posted: 05/06/2023 01:03:31
Thanks for your comments including suggestions to brighten and sharpen the bird's head. I tried both in editing and decided to only lighten the shadows slightly. The sharpening suggested by Judy, which I did try, did and does not look realistic and thus I did not do it. As to the lightening of the head, that side of the head was in dark shadow. Lightening a little was ok, but to the extent suggest, makes it not realistic. There was nothing in the scene that would have reflected light in that direction. The bird was partially backlit. Also, yes it would be nice to have a reflection, but that was not possible that windy day. Posted: 05/12/2023 15:50:06
I love the composition here plus the fact that the bird is engaged in it's natural habit. I do like what Judy has done to sharpen and brighten the face. I am not opposed to white vignetting, many judges are however. For me, it depends on what you are planning on doing with the image. Posted: 05/06/2023 13:25:49
Thanks for your comments including suggestions to brighten and sharpen the bird's head. I tried both in editing and decided to only lighten the shadows slightly. The sharpening suggested by Judy, which I did try, did and does not look realistic and thus I did not do it. As to the lightening of the head, that side of the head was in dark shadow. Lightening a little was ok, but to the extent suggest, makes it not realistic. There was nothing in the scene that would have reflected light in that direction. The bird was partially backlit. Posted: 05/12/2023 15:47:29
Very nice photo, Bill. I especially like the setting you have provided which adds greatly to the impact. Often in wildlife photographs, I find that the setting is diminished by cloning and blurring because it is thought to be too distracting. In my view, the subject can usually stand on its own and is distinguished from a capture at a zoo. Judy has done a great job brightening the eye and face. Posted: 05/12/2023 10:38:43
Thanks for your comments including suggestions to brighten and sharpen the bird's head. I tried both in editing and decided to only lighten the shadows slightly. The sharpening suggested by Judy, which I did try, did and does not look realistic and thus I did not do it. As to the lightening of the head, that side of the head was in dark shadow. Lightening a little was ok, but to the extent suggest, makes it not realistic. There was nothing in the scene that would have reflected light in that direction. The bird was partially backlit. Posted: 05/12/2023 15:51:25
I like the image Bill. Not too much you can do for the shadow without making it look odd besides hope for better angles next time. Posted: 05/18/2023 19:11:13