Israel Yosef  


Cranes bird in northern Israel on their way from Europe to Africa by Israel Yosef

December 2021 - Cranes bird in northern Israel on their way from Europe to Africa

December 2021 - Israel Yosef

Original

About the Image(s)

In winter, thousands of birds arrive in Israel en route from Europe to Africa. They are resting and gaining strength for the further journey to Africa. This period is a real holiday for photographers in Israel, it is a unique opportunity to see and photograph a large number of different birds in one place.

I shoot in RAW format and process with Lightroom: basic adjustment, detail, texture, etc. In Photoshop I removed a few birds and bird parts and cloned a couple of birds into empty spaces. Then I convert to B&W in Alien Skin Exposure 7 - B&W Misc Effects - Toning-Sepia+Vignette(Panatomic-X)

Camera settings: Sony ILCE-7RM3 . ISO 1600, 1/100s, f/5.6, 200mm, Lens: Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
16 comments posted




Bob Legg   Bob Legg
Israel, you made some great choices in photographing these birds. You obviously didn't have any extra light and the birds beyond the bottom third weren't going to be sharp no matter what. The slow 1/100 shutter speed was fantastic for capturing some of the birds coming or going. The fog also works for your image. I'm never very into the monochrome tint on my own images but this really works for your image as well as the extra fog you added to the front corners. Reflections are great also. I sorta wish there were a group of the birds that drew my attention and that stood out from the others. Very nice image   Posted: 12/04/2021 22:20:31
Israel Yosef   Israel Yosef
Hi Bob,
Sorry for not answering right away, I was on a photo tour of the Dead Sea.
I returned home and Wow, I see so many comments.
Thanks everybody.
I took this shot in the morning at a high ISO, so the speed was slow and, accordingly, the aperture was f / 5.6.
I love your idea and Pete has already implemented it.

All the best.
Sincerely.
Israel   Posted: 12/07/2021 08:41:57



Bunny Laden   Bunny Laden
(Group 43)
Hi Israel, To me, your image evokes a past time that is quite pleasing. I think you made the most of your shot by tinting it and adding fog and cloning out the distractions. I agree with Bob in that I wish there were a group of birds that stood out from the others.

What kind of cranes are these? When I first looked at the image, I thought I was looking at Canada geese. But you labeled it cranes, so I would love to know the specific type.   Posted: 12/05/2021 00:07:21
Israel Yosef   Israel Yosef
Hi Bunny,
Sorry for not answering right away, I was on a photo tour of the Dead Sea.
I returned home and Wow, I see so many comments.
Thanks everybody.

You are right that it is necessary to highlight a group of birds, to our delight there is Pete in our group.

All the best.
Sincerely.

Israel   Posted: 12/07/2021 10:40:41



Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Israel, there is a wonderful feeling that I get when viewing your image. It brings thoughts of nature and the treasures of the past. Very well done!

Like Bob pointed out (and Bunny confirmed), I thought that having a group of birds that stood out might capture the viewers' eyes before they move through the rest of the image. With that in mind, I tried to bring some of the nearby cranes into a sharper focus and contrast. Your thoughts?

  Posted: 12/05/2021 08:44:12
Comment Image
Bunny Laden   Bunny Laden
(Group 43)
Wow! To my eye, the image is greatly improved. Do tell us exactly what you did.   Posted: 12/06/2021 20:53:21
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Bunny, I'm glad you like the change. It was pretty simple to achieve. I use PS and its Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) filter, but the LR Classic develop module could be used the same way. All I did was select the new ACR masking tool and choose the radial gradient option. Then I drew an ellipse around the cranes in the center of the foreground (with moderate feathering). Next, it was easy to use the clarity, dehaze, texture, and sharpen sliders to bring the cranes in the ellipse into a stronger visible presence.

I hope that makes sense. If you haven't tried the new masking tool of ACR and LRC, give them a try. I think you'll be amazed at their power.

  Posted: 12/06/2021 21:11:56
Bunny Laden   Bunny Laden
(Group 43)
I have been using the new masking tool, at least in LRC. Wonderful. Using the ellipse is the trick, I see, rather than trying some fance masking of the birds. Well done! I'm sure I have few images that would benefit from your approach. Thanks for sharing.   Posted: 12/06/2021 21:14:43
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Sure! I find that I use the brush about 60% of the time and the radial gradient tool about 30% of the time. They provide fantastic masking capabilities.   Posted: 12/06/2021 21:42:51
Israel Yosef   Israel Yosef
Hi Pete,
Sorry for not answering right away, I was on a photo tour of the Dead Sea.
I returned home and Wow, I see so many comments.
Thanks everybody.

You did a great job and I really love it.
You're right, the new tools in LR Classic are great and make your photo editing process easier.

All the best.
Sincerely.
Israel   Posted: 12/07/2021 10:51:56



Bob Legg   Bob Legg
Well, look at all these comments while I watched Monday night football. Yes, Pete is 100% correct about the new masking and editing tools in LrC & ACR. They make editing so much faster, easier and better results. As someone who doesn't use Ps,except some creative, these new nask tools have become essential in just the few weeks they have been out. My percentages are slightly different than Pete's, with 70% brush, 15% linear (for skies and foregrounds) and 15% radial.

I really like the cranes front and center becoming the focal point. Thanks Pete for showing us how it's done.   Posted: 12/07/2021 09:05:19
Bunny Laden   Bunny Laden
(Group 43)
Is there football on Monday night? My local camera club has competition nights on one Monday night and programs on another Monday. I never thought about it, but our camera club must not be American football fans!!! LOL!   Posted: 12/07/2021 11:14:24



Emil Davidzuk   Emil Davidzuk
Israel

Your shot is well conceived but it needed a focal point along the lines of Pete's example.

Regards

Emil   Posted: 12/08/2021 13:55:18
Israel Yosef   Israel Yosef
Hi Emil,

Thank you for your comment.

All the best.
Sincerely.
Israel   Posted: 12/09/2021 11:34:42



LuAnn Thatcher   LuAnn Thatcher
Hello Israel,

I like your photo of the migration of the cranes. I agree with everyone's ideas so I won't have to repeat anything there. The only adjust I suggest is with the vignette. It is recommended that vignettes be felt and not seen so I recommend lessening the strength of the vignette so the four corners are not so white.

Best regards,
LT   Posted: 12/16/2021 12:37:47
Israel Yosef   Israel Yosef
Hello LuAnn,

Thank you for the vignette idea.

All the best to you and your family.

Sincerely.   Posted: 12/19/2021 08:29:40