Wes Odell
October 2024 - A sandhill crane in the wild
Original
About the Image(s)
A Sandhill Crane in the Wild. Taken in a wetlands in Park City Utah, this unafraid bird and several others had stopped for the summer as a mating location. I was able to take this from a walkway behind a condo by setting the camera on a fencepost while we looked at each other. Converted to BW with the Kelby/Levels method and then finalized in Nik Silver Efex ⬓Intensifier.⬠My equipment and temperament doesn’t allow me to take photos of birds in flight, so I stick to birds on the ground.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
Wes, this is an interesting comparison with mine this month. Your image has good separation of subject and background in mono due to the textures of the feathers running one way and the grasses running another way. Very successful.
Maybe the grasses are a bit too bright? Posted: 10/04/2024 03:11:16
Maybe the grasses are a bit too bright? Posted: 10/04/2024 03:11:16
Grasses too bright? I agree, but I don't know how to darken them. thanks....wes Posted: 10/18/2024 01:29:17
I saw a flock of Sandhill cranes last September in Wyoming and, as we don't have this species in Spain, I found them very interesting, they were new for us!
By the way, could you give me (maybe in a private message) any reference of the Kelby/Levels method? It's also new for me...
With regard to the photo, my only comment is that from my point of view the original colour version is better. In your well processed monochrome version, the grass may disturb more than in colour one, were the bird is less cryptic.
Posted: 10/10/2024 11:32:58
By the way, could you give me (maybe in a private message) any reference of the Kelby/Levels method? It's also new for me...
With regard to the photo, my only comment is that from my point of view the original colour version is better. In your well processed monochrome version, the grass may disturb more than in colour one, were the bird is less cryptic.
Posted: 10/10/2024 11:32:58
In the Layers Palette, open Levels, and then Hue/Saturation. Move the Sat slider all the way to the left. Then in Levels, change the Channel from RGB to Red. Move the black and white points in to the edge of the histogram. Do the same for Green and Blue, then starting with Blue move the Mid tone slider to where you like it, then do the same for G and R. then repeat the entire Kelby process with smaller adjustments. The eye and the brain serve as editing tools. You should have some idea of the end result or of what you like as you do this. Be sure Hue/Saturation is above Levels in the Layers Palette. If not satisfied, open the Kelby-adjusted image in Nik Silver Efex and try MoreSilver and nearby pre-sets for more minor adjustment..
I found the Sandhill Cranes to be very confident in their movements, curious, and intelligent BIG birds. Posted: 10/12/2024 17:55:45
I found the Sandhill Cranes to be very confident in their movements, curious, and intelligent BIG birds. Posted: 10/12/2024 17:55:45
Thank you so much for your tutorial, Wes!
And happy to see you are recovered!!
All the best
Manel Posted: 10/15/2024 16:09:13
And happy to see you are recovered!!
All the best
Manel Posted: 10/15/2024 16:09:13
10-4 Posted: 10/18/2024 01:27:25
I actually prefer the colour version. The neck feathers seem to have lost their softness in the mono and I really like the colouring of the bird matching the colouring of the grasses. I'm like you as I've never managed to do birds in flight . However we have just bought a new version of our camera and it is supposed to enable one to follow birds in flight easily. So watch this space! I suspect it will take a lot of practice to get it right. I do like this bird in its habitat and it could do well in competitions but leave it is colour please. Posted: 10/10/2024 19:45:23
How lucky you were to capture this beautiful bird posing for you. Your conversion to mono was very good and there is separation between the bird and the background. As both Manel and Diana pointed out, the color is much better. I really like the dried grass and the colors of the bird. Posted: 10/11/2024 19:18:12
The bird and I stared at each other for a while. It had no apparent fear. Sort of curious, wanting to communicate, friendly. I had a long lens which, I'm told, some birds consider to be the eye of a predator, but this bird showed no fear. Posted: 10/12/2024 18:04:08