Denny Curry  

Untitled by Denny Curry

December 2024 - Untitled

December 2024 - Denny Curry

Original

About the Image(s)

Canon 90D with Sigma 150-500 at 150
F8
ISO 400
Shutter 1/320 second

Editing done in Adobe Camera Raw:

The photo was overexposed so I adjusted it down a bit. The Cholla cactus spines always have a glow to them, I need to keep practicing with the exposure. Initial edit was to crop this in . There was way too much going on in the edges.

Initial edits to adjust exposure and contrast overall.

Then I did a couple adjustment masks to bring down the contrast in the background and increase it a bit on the wren. I do like the photo, and what I would do differently in the future is Zoom in more. I had plenty of zoom left in this lens. I think the exposure would have been better if I had done that instead of the cropping in post. I would adjust the ISO downward and shutter accordingly.

6 comments posted

Anne Sandler   Anne Sandler
Denny, I like the overall image featuring the wren. You were fighting the sun which gave the spines that glow. Here are my suggestions. 1. Use the original image. I like the beauty of the cactus. If you want the image to be totally about the wren then crop in more closely. 2. I think you could have lightened the wren a smidge more, but not to much. It's blending into the background. I think you have two subjects here. A glowing cactus and a wren.   Posted: 12/02/2024 18:42:53
Denny Curry
Anne, I do appreciate your feedback. I think you are spot on. Dean's response shows that too.

Thank you,
Denny   Posted: 12/02/2024 20:49:38
Dean Ginther   Dean Ginther
Denny,
I agree with Anne. While I like the highlighting on the cactus, I think the main attraction is the wren nesting within the cactus. The cactus provides excellent environmental context for the wren. See attached for consideration. I cropped in; darkened the highlights in the background as much as possible; and lightened and sharpened the Wren.   Posted: 12/02/2024 18:54:03
Comment Image
Denny Curry
Dean,

That crop really makes a big difference. I like this much better. Still has the environment while isolating the subject.

Much appreciated.   Posted: 12/02/2024 20:47:46
Anne Sandler   Anne Sandler
Dean, your suggested edit is beautiful!   Posted: 12/03/2024 00:10:35
Rita Johnston   Rita Johnston
What an interesting find. You are so right that you could have zoomed in to get more detail, and that is how we learn for the next time. I really like Dean's crop on this, and your capture made it all possible.   Posted: 12/06/2024 02:05:43

 

Please log in to post a comment