Cindy Marple
May 2025 - Killdeer Chick
Original
About the Image(s)
Killdeer Chick
About:
I’d heard there was a Killdeer family at my local park, and was lucky to stumble across them at a spot where they were relatively close. There were 2 chicks; one stayed in the shadows but this one foraged a bit closer and in better light. The parent was nearby, ever watchful. I was hoping for some interaction but they headed off out of view before that happened.
Nikon Z8, 600mm, 1/1600 f/6.3 ISO560
Processing: Cropped, changed the white balance (I shoot in full sun, not auto); brightened a bit to bring out better color in the water, and reduced the highlights a bit.
6 comments posted
Cindy - great shot of the killdeer chick but I think you either need the entire reflection or none at all - I'd use PS Remove tool and eliminate the partial reflection - beautiful subject and GREAT perspective Posted: 05/07/2025 00:42:51
I'm ok with cropped reflections, but balancing the amount takes a few tries. A figure in still water without a reflection would look "photoshopped" because it just doesn't occur in reality, so not something I'd do. But Larry's suggestion about darkening it would help make it less obtrusive.
I did get some shots with a good reflection (no algae interrupting it) but I didn't like the pose as well so I chose this one for discussion.
Thanks for your inputs!
Posted: 05/08/2025 23:40:37
I did get some shots with a good reflection (no algae interrupting it) but I didn't like the pose as well so I chose this one for discussion.
Thanks for your inputs!
Posted: 05/08/2025 23:40:37
Ooooh, a fuzzy little baby! And so sharp! Your crop makes it look like you were only inches away, so cool!
I'd be happy if that photo, either cropped or original, fell out of my camera :-) Posted: 05/07/2025 16:38:16
I'd be happy if that photo, either cropped or original, fell out of my camera :-) Posted: 05/07/2025 16:38:16
Thanks for the memories. It has been decades since I've seen or heard the call of this birds. I now remember how the adult played that broken wing game to lure predators away. Oh, childhood memories...
I love the shot. You show the fluffy nature of the young that makes them adorable and I like the bent right leg to add a bit of motion.
I'll admit the reflection looks a bit odd, but you can't remove it. Everyone knows that a bird walking in the waer has a reflection and if you had removed it then the image would look weird. However, reflections should be darker than the reality. Thus you might get away with darkening just a bit so it would not be a bright white object on the edge of the image. I love the camera angle and you have a perfectly clean background. Happy to see there is not even a hint of a background shoreline. Posted: 05/08/2025 23:19:57
I love the shot. You show the fluffy nature of the young that makes them adorable and I like the bent right leg to add a bit of motion.
I'll admit the reflection looks a bit odd, but you can't remove it. Everyone knows that a bird walking in the waer has a reflection and if you had removed it then the image would look weird. However, reflections should be darker than the reality. Thus you might get away with darkening just a bit so it would not be a bright white object on the edge of the image. I love the camera angle and you have a perfectly clean background. Happy to see there is not even a hint of a background shoreline. Posted: 05/08/2025 23:19:57
I fussed with the crop on the reflection and could try some alternatives. But your point about the brightness gives me some good ideas- regardless of how much I decide to leave. I didn't want to take more off because I thought it needed some "ground room", and too much more of it would get in to the part that's spoilt by the algae in the water.
OK here's a version with a bit of vignette and the reflection darkened a bit (reduced highlights). I remember why I chose this crop- so that there wasn't a partial wing in it. Posted: 05/08/2025 23:36:57
OK here's a version with a bit of vignette and the reflection darkened a bit (reduced highlights). I remember why I chose this crop- so that there wasn't a partial wing in it. Posted: 05/08/2025 23:36:57
Yep. This looks better. You are right you can't take off any more from the bottom because of the need for space.
The new version looks better and the vignette is so slight it is hardly noticeable.
Posted: 05/11/2025 17:41:09
The new version looks better and the vignette is so slight it is hardly noticeable.
Posted: 05/11/2025 17:41:09