This photo was taken in early March 2018 along the Texas coast. I was limited in my photography as I was traveling with my sister and shooting out of the car window. Having said that, I do like this image but had to do some work that I normally have not done. As you can see I had to add canvas to give the bird some room to fly. The original was not tack sharp so I ran it through Topaz Sharpen. I added contrast to the bird and rock, did slight toning adjustments and added a vignette. I removed some of the water drops that were distracting but to me the flying water is part of the story. I have never claimed to be a bird photographer but have improved since 2018 using a better camera and techniques. Sony 7M2, Sony 70-300mm lens, ISO 320, at 1/1600sec and f/8 with -0.30 compensation. If this is not a willet will the birders please correct me. Thanks.
2 comments posted
Mike Cohen
Nice shot at a perfect moment of the takeoff. I love the wing and feet positions. It's nice that there's a bit of space between the head and wing as well. A couple of things I might try would be to return the rock to more of the look in the original. I think its stealing a bit of attention from the bird. I might also suggest selecting water in Lightroom, assuming you use that, and adding some clarity and also playing with the color a bit. Maybe adding a bit of blue. Finally, the white portion of hte upraised wing might be a bit too white. I would see if any more detail could be pulled from that area. It looks like there is detail because I can see each feather. I would do that very lightly and see how it looks.
Posted: 10/05/2026 20:00:30
Tracy Kaminer
Willets are beautiful. You must have been close to have captured it with a 70-300 lens. 1/1600 would be the minimum for birds in flight, so with the bird just taking off that is probably enough. You did a nice job improving the photo with your post processing, but you might tone down the rock. I agree--the water drops are very much part of the story. Nice job, especially out of a car window. Posted: 10/06/2026 17:22:41
