Yellow-faced Grassquit

Gallery: AvianPosted February 11, 2010117 views10 comments

Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivacea)

Another little bird from Cuba and he looks pretty small in this frame. However, I like the composition: every time I look at this image I think of Cuban missiles! Also, the bird has some attractive qualities that hold up on magnification (please have a look at the large version).

I think that this male Grassquit already stands out pretty well from the background. So, this image doesn’t really need application of any background blurring software. I did apply noise reduction, exposure adjustment and sharpening but no Bokeh, to the small and large versions posted with this comment .

However, that said, I decided to apply Bokeh to the image as well and spent quite awhile making a reasonably accurate selection as required by the program. I’ll post that third (Bokeh) version of the image below the next comment. I'm still not satisfied with the accuracy of CS4 selection that I can do. It's pretty good....but I know that anything less than perfection just isn't good enough for this application (You folks set the bar pretty high!) So, I’ve decided (for the second time) to stop working with Bokeh....at least until the next version is developed.

All comments very welcome.

EOS 7D, EF 400mm f/5.6, 580 EX II: ISO 250, 1/250 s (x max synch speed; fill flash used), f/9.0, image is 2929 x 2929=8.6 MP or 48% of the 18 MP of the 7D.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 11, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Here's the version of the image with Bokeh applied.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 12, 2010 at 12:14 AM

Yes. However, I think it's mainly a matter of taste, Rich. Also, although I was painstakingly careful with the selection, very close investigation can reveal some very small differences from the original too. I'd be happy to post a large version of the Bokeh modified image if you wish. I'm not sure how to do it though: I think we can only post small versions in the comments. Is that correct?

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 12, 2010 at 2:39 AM

I like them both, especially for the compostion. I think the bg in the original is blurred enough and gives the bird a sense of space. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 12, 2010 at 7:18 AM

Steve,

I prefer the version without any blurring of the background using the boken program. It look more natural and appealing to me.

I like the bird's small size in the frame, the setting and the light you got. The larger version shows the details very well even though the bird is small, thanks for posting it.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 12, 2010 at 8:06 PM

Steve, The relatively small size of the bird in the frame is no problem for me as I like the setting (your Cuban missile reference certainly struck home with me - shows our ages I'll bet). The bird perched in the perfect spot for you I think. I also prefer the background in the original version for its authenticity for lack of a better word.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 12, 2010 at 8:32 PM

As much as I can appreciate all your hard work on version 2, I prefer the first better. The super clarity of the second bird against the blurred bg doesn';t feel real to me. Is there effect on the first post? i think it's just right.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 12, 2010 at 8:37 PM

Cute little bird Steve. In the bokeh filtered image I like the way the filter calms down the intensity of the dark twigs in the BG. Getting the selection just right before applying this filter looks like it's pretty difficult though. IMO it's probably easier to play with your DOF while out shooting.

If I recall correctly a few years ago there were several people creating this same effect in PS using gaussian blur.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on February 12, 2010 at 8:58 PM

Another vote for the original where the bg adds info as to the bird's world. It's soft enough, but not too soft.
Fine looking little bird.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 14, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Steve:
I wish you had not mentioned the Cuban missiles! I keep wondering which way is North and if they are aimed in my direction. Another vote for the original.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 14, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Thank you all for all of your usual great comments! Looks like the "natural look" (no simulated Bokeh) is by far the most popular version of this image. I should add that the Bokeh software does provide simulations of specific lenses (one of them was used here...I forget which one!). So, it is much more advanced than just a simple Gaussian blurring. Of course, the look also depends on what area of the photograph is selected for blurring by the program...which depends on the photographer. Two of you mentiioned my Cuban missile quip dating back from the 1962 crisis recalled by a few of us. I didn't see any missiles there now.....just automobiles that often were older than 1962! It is a great place for birding and the people that I met were very friendly. After speaking with some Canadians recently returned from Cuba, I learned that there are special tours of Cuba for bird counting purposes that Americans can access. I did not search for details. However, it may be something that some of you wish to pursue.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments