BBWD

Another stellar BBWD.

Regarding the exposure - have you tried doing multiple RAW conversions and blending them to get the best of both worlds? Brad Hill frequently discusses this technique in his bear poses to ensure detail in the dark fur while not blowing highlights on the face or in the water.

- Luke

Luke, thanks for the comment. Actually, I have experimented with doing basically what you mention, but in a simpler manner. However, when I do this something happens to the image file that makes it impossible for me to reduce the size under 500 kb and 200 kb in CS4 for posting on NPN. I have to reduce the quality slider to 1. By that time the image is of such low quality I would never post it. The actual process of doing the RAW adjustments works fine and I can save the full size file no problem and it looks great. The only issue is when I reduce the size of the image to 1200 and then to 720px for posting as a JPEG. Just can't get the file size down under 500 and 200 kb. Might be a bug in my version of PS, but I really don't worry about it, because my full size versions of my images are fine. Cheers.

Ron lovely light and pose! Yes, thank goodness for these right now. They keep me in practice. Congrats!

I like this a lot as posted and would be very happy to have taken it.

Concerning the file size issue I think I've answered it already in another post. Make sure you aren't including a lot of unnecessary editing data in the EXIF with photoshop. You might have to open Bridge to uncheck a bunch of options to make the garbage go away.

Rich, thanks for the comment and info. I will check into that for sure.

Ron, I like the jutted out head and neck. It says, "look at me". Good comp as well.

As far as getting the file size down, you shouldn't have a problem with that at all, no matter what you do to the files in post. If you can't get it worked out I'd be glad to share my method of preparing to save for web with you.

No matter about the bright highlights on the feet, I'd love to have a shot like this.

Terrific! Very unusual pose. Wouldn't have paid any attention to the feet at all if you hadn't mentioned it, doesn't detract from the image in the slightest.

Well done Ron. I love the water droplets on the duck's chest in the larger version. The detail really is much better.

Ron, I love the stretched out pose here and your comp is just right. the highlights on the feet aren't a very big deal, and it sounds like you have them worked out for larger size files.

Great shot! I like the pose a lot.

Interseting pose with stretched wings, head and feet.

Nice one Ron - love the outstretched neck

cheers
Rob

Ron this is very cool, and actually a very funny image IMO. I have no problems with the highlights on the legs. In our quest for retrieving all shadow and highlight detail in an image we often forget that our eyes also cannot see detail in all highlights and shadows in every scene!

Great action! Like the colors and the position of the wings!

How I wish this was in my files , Mighty fine

Ron,

I love the great pose, the way the wings are positioned and the stretch of the head & neck. Lovely natural colors, light and comp. I wouldn't worry about the highlights on the wet feet, those happen naturally, it doesn't detract in this image for me.

I should have spent more time photographing this species when I lived in Florida, you can be sure I will when I go back for a photo journey

Love the pose and exposure...tight shot Ron!

The stretched landing pose is spectacular Ron. One of the better ones I've seen, even from you. Your composition is right on and I really like that background - yes, even with the blue peeking through. I wouldn't worry about the feet highlights either. Very good job getting this almost full frame and hand held as usual!

Excellent detail, especially in the large version. You could try and burn the feet a bit.

Your image looks very nice as is Ron. As many of said, the feet are really not an issue.
The dynamic action and flight pose carry the day. My eye is drawn to that small blue spot of sky top right. I would consider perhaps cloning it out.
Thanx for your comments on my bunting