I recently posted this Roseate shot on social media with the description below. I have some thoughts about how I might have processed this one a bit better and am interested in the group’s comments. In Lightroom I flipped, cropped and made a selection of the bird and the background. I dodged and worked on the highlights of the bird as well as saturating its color a bit. Usually with roseates I desaturate their color, as it comes across so strong that it looks fake. But I believe this one does not yet have its breeding plumage or is a juvenile. I darkened and added some negative texture and dehaze on the background. In Photoshop I added a dark curve and then selectively masked it out of the bird, gradually fading the effect away from the center. I also ran Topaz denoise to start with.
On my recent wander around central Florida, I saw quite a few Roseate Spoonbills. They are difficult to shoot by the road and were very much intolerant of my stopping. A few times, however, they tolerated my slow approach, and I was able to get some shots. This one, in fact, joined the group I was watching and gave me his full landing to photograph. (Platalea ajaja) (Sony a1, 200-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 second, ISO 2000)
This round’s discussion is now closed! 8 comments posted
Judith Lesnaw
I love the fanned wings of this bird. The crop seems tight and the bird looks off-balance to me, as though he will fall over backwards. I Like the original with the two birds at the left. Here the Spoonbill appears to be coming in to join a party, and he does not look off-balance. I also prefer the lighter background. I would crop a bit from the right, but leave the top of the grasses for context. Of course one can see more detail in the Spoonbill in the tight crop, but I believe both versions have merit. Posted: 11/02/2024 17:00:24
Mike Cohen
I think your interpretation would look nice. Maybe because I saw the landing it's hard for me not to see it in a still shot so he doesn't look off balance to my eye. But I get your point. I think, after considering your comment, that I did over darken the background. Thanks Posted: 11/02/2024 19:09:37
Ally Green
The motion you have caputured of this bird is wonderful The texture and sharpness draws me in and agree its a perfect still shot. I am a bit of a purist so I prefer the color of the original…to me this looks a bit overprocessed colourwise. I too prefer also the lighter background. Great image though. Posted: 11/03/2024 22:07:10
Sharon Prislipsky
I love the wing positon of the bird and the fact that its landing pattern created the diagonal line...I feel this is strong composition. To me, there appears to be a slight yellow color cast. I would either try to fix that by tweaking the white balance or use the Remove Color Cast filter in Color Efex. Nice capture - as always. Posted: 11/09/2024 21:15:26
Polly Krauter
The bird is very well captured and I like the crop and flipped image. The fan of the primary feathers is lovely. You might consider removing the slightly muddy cast of the background. The original image has a brighter, cleaner appearance. Posted: 11/10/2024 00:31:23
Pamela Hoaglund
A great action shot. The position of the bird doesn't bother me as it is apparent the bird is coming in for a landing and the background is straight. I don't believe I have ever seen a Spoonbill let alone photograph one so I have no idea what the coloring should be. I agree that the background is a little too dark and refer the lighter background of the original image. Well done. Posted: 11/17/2024 22:25:34
Ann Brixey
I like the original image as much as the cropped one. I am wondering if it was taken in breeding season. I like the color of the bird in the original, since out of breeding season these birds are not as colorful. The angle of the bird does not bother me since I have seen them come in that way often. and have taken similar images, (not as good though) Nice detail in the feathers. Both the orginal and the processed image tell the story.
Happy Thanksgiving Posted: 11/24/2024 15:08:22
Mike Cohen
Thanks Ann. It was shot in October but had some pretty pink. They are more colorful in the spring, particularly their orange tail feathers, or at least that's been what's noticeable to me. Happy Thanksgiving! Posted: 11/24/2024 22:38:20
