Dove Trio+Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted January 28, 2011112 views13 comments

Yesterday I was out looking for owls in the trees at the Riverwood Conservancy near Toronto when I came upon these three Mourning Doves. They only became interested in me after the first flash fired. This is the second flash. They didn't stay interested in me for long and soon went back to sleep (waiting for Spring I think).

I decided that this image really needed only minimal post-processing. The most significant operation was to clone out a small branch. There are plenty of branches remaining but I don't see them as a distraction (although I may be alone in that opinion!).

All comments very welcome.

1D Mark IV, EF400 mm f/5.6L +1.4xTC, 580EXII, Better Beamer : ISO 800, 1/800 s, f/8.0, 0 EV, 14.9 MP after cropping; NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 28, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Hi Steve,
Nice to get them all lined up like this. I think you could go lighter, particularly on the midtones in this image. I really enjoyed your photos from Grand Cayman, I wasn't commenting because I don't really have time when leading a large group. My favorite was the Cuban Parrot.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 28, 2011 at 8:57 PM

Thank you, Nate. I surely understand: I find it time consuming and I'm retired and not leading anyone! I'm glad to know that you enjoy the Grand Cayman images. The Cuban Parrot was the one I was most happy to obtain. I heard about parrots throughout the vacation but it was only on the last day that I saw them and was able to photograph one.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 28, 2011 at 9:01 PM

nothing wrong with sleeping out the winter in my book, Steve.

an interesting image with lots of nice grays, and I like the fluffed plumage. DOF works well, and the setting works for me. Could perhaps go brighter but I do like it as posted.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 28, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Steve, love the line up. I agree, maybe a bit lighter on the mid-tones, but just a bit IMO. Nice head turns on all three.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 28, 2011 at 9:16 PM

Nate has said it. Some mid range work would do wonders. I really like the symmetry and the over the shoulder, coy look.. As for further branch cloning, I would consider the "x" between the second and third dove.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 28, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Great capture with this nice line-up. I like it as posted (branches are not distracting IMO).

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 28, 2011 at 10:55 PM

Interesting comments, everyone. Thank you! Several of you have agreed with Nate's suggestion of a midtone correction. So here is a try at it. There are so many variations on this that are possible. However, at least this repost shows one of them. I think I do like the repost better.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 29, 2011 at 7:43 AM

Steve,

I prefer the repost, the bit of brightening/lightening you do seems to have given this image a btter feel to it. Love the pose and the looks you appear to be getting from all three birds. I might give some selective sharpening to the head of the dove on the left side of the frame. In the field you may have need f10 to get all three brids sharp in the focal plane.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 29, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Very nice soft understated colors here, and good work with multiple subjects.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 29, 2011 at 8:45 PM

This is a great capture Steve. Nice to get all three doves lined up. I do think I like the repost a bit better.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM

Steve,

I appreciate these types of shots with multiple birds. They are different and interesting IMHO. You were able to clearly capture their attention in the picture and the bg is pleasing. My only nit is the branch impaled on the head of the far left bird.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 31, 2011 at 9:04 AM

I think your repost is a noticeable improvement Steve. Really like the similarity of the poses here - your first flash was your friend. I've been very frustrated with DOF in my own mutliple subject images and think you've done a nice job with this one, though the head of the dove on the left seems slightly soft. I enjoy the subtle colors throughout.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 31, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Steve,
the three head turns make the shot for me. Very nice color and comp. The repost works better for me too.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments