Bunny Laden
July 2024 - A Sparrow Dries Off After a Bath
Original
About the Image(s)
I spend some time each day sitting on my porch and watching the birds. We have a pond they frequent for a bath. Afterwards, the birds sit on rocks or a nearby tree stump to fluff their feathers.
Sony SDC-RX10M4
ISO 400
600 mm
1/1250 sec @ f/4.0
I used Lightroom to crop and darken the background and make some color adjustments. I used Topaz Sharpen to sharpen just the bird.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
15 comments posted
Great catch. You caught, cropped and sharpened the bird just right. You sure caught him in the act. If it weren't using the 600 mm lens it sure looks like you would have gotten wet. Posted: 07/15/2024 21:35:31
Thanks for the comments Harley! Posted: 07/26/2024 15:22:56
Sent to Andrew
Andrew
You certainly have given this thought. The rotar blages are certainly a factor. When using a long lens I try to use a monopod. It keeps the camera steady and you can still "react" to your subject. I think you did everything right here. I like the tighter crop suggested by Harley. I think Bunny will hereafter be the official Group 43 research person. Posted: 07/16/2024 17:58:54
Andrew
You certainly have given this thought. The rotar blages are certainly a factor. When using a long lens I try to use a monopod. It keeps the camera steady and you can still "react" to your subject. I think you did everything right here. I like the tighter crop suggested by Harley. I think Bunny will hereafter be the official Group 43 research person. Posted: 07/16/2024 17:58:54
Sent to Andrew
Andrew
You certainly have given this thought. The rotar blages are certainly a factor. When using a long lens I try to use a monopod. It keeps the camera steady and you can still "react" to your subject. I think you did everything right here. I like the tighter crop suggested by Harley. I think Bunny will hereafter be the official Group 43 research person. Posted: 07/16/2024 17:58:54
Andrew
You certainly have given this thought. The rotar blages are certainly a factor. When using a long lens I try to use a monopod. It keeps the camera steady and you can still "react" to your subject. I think you did everything right here. I like the tighter crop suggested by Harley. I think Bunny will hereafter be the official Group 43 research person. Posted: 07/16/2024 17:58:54
Well! You are showing us a bird that isn't at his or her best. This is what I look like when I get up in the morning. This is good story telling and is showing a different view based on the behavior. It is almost Wabi Sabi. I like what you did with the background. The eye is perfect as is the crop. Very sharp and wonderful light. Posted: 07/16/2024 18:04:07
Thanks Mark. I promise not to tell the bird you don't think she looks her best! Posted: 07/26/2024 15:23:28
From the photo, we can see a sparrow dries off after a bath or something. It really can tell a story. I like the dark background, which help pop out the subject. Well done! Posted: 07/17/2024 03:25:15
Thank you for your comments Leo. Posted: 07/26/2024 15:23:47
Well Bunny, you caught this guy mid fluff--he's a cutie. You have great detail and sharpness on the the bird, I like its pose and the platform it is on. It is a nice natural presentation. Colors are good and I like the sharpness of the eye especially.
I wish there was a bit more light on the left side, but from the original I see you did not have much there either. Nice Image.
Here is a tip. When posting images with very dark or black areas at the borders put a 2-3 pixel stroke around the image. That way your photo will be more defined on the black background of the display area. Posted: 07/18/2024 14:47:32
I wish there was a bit more light on the left side, but from the original I see you did not have much there either. Nice Image.
Here is a tip. When posting images with very dark or black areas at the borders put a 2-3 pixel stroke around the image. That way your photo will be more defined on the black background of the display area. Posted: 07/18/2024 14:47:32
Thanks for the tip about the border. I have done that in the past, but the brain wasn't working time! Posted: 07/18/2024 15:57:51
This is a really interesting take on the subject, Bunny. You did a great job capturing the detail in the bird, including the tack-sharp eye and catch light. I'm wondering if the contrast was pushed too far in this. You want to show the texture in the bird's feathers and the stump, but the light versus dark areas is a little overcooked. To that point, I might also open up the background a little bit to get away from the pure black and show a little detail so the scene is not so stark. Other than that, I love the rich colors in the bird's feathers. The way the different dryness reflects the light also makes for an interesting variety. Nice work! Posted: 07/26/2024 14:51:35
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for the comments. I did crush the blacks, but if I had more time, I would have selected the correct ISO and speed to get a Sunny 16 exposure. That would have crushed the blacks in the background in camera. So it was my intention to get the black background. I appreciate hearing that not everyone's aesthetic matches mine. Posted: 07/26/2024 15:28:50
Thank you for the comments. I did crush the blacks, but if I had more time, I would have selected the correct ISO and speed to get a Sunny 16 exposure. That would have crushed the blacks in the background in camera. So it was my intention to get the black background. I appreciate hearing that not everyone's aesthetic matches mine. Posted: 07/26/2024 15:28:50
I think you came into a tough, high contrast situation and came away with a winner. If only we could control every aspect of our photographic world....dare to dream! :-) Posted: 07/26/2024 16:00:46
I too love to watch the birds drying off after their bath. Shake rattle and roll! I wouldn't change a thing! You have captured it well and your post processing is excellent! Bravo!!!! Posted: 07/27/2024 14:53:37
Thanks Lane. Posted: 07/27/2024 15:03:14