Hermit Thrush

Gallery: AvianPosted February 1, 2012178 views11 comments

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ
January 23, 2012, 10:32 am
Equipment: Nikon D300 & Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III, Citzo 1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority spot metered, ISO 1600, 1/320th second @ f/8
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 74% of frame
No: fill flash, set up, bait, recording, cloning, noise reduction

Since this is one of my “quiet” style images and doesn’t “pop” I don’t expect a lot of response on this post. Normally I wouldn’t even bother to post it but I wanted to share my surprise at the lack of noise in this taken at ISO 1600. I’ve gotten comfortable using the D300 at ISO 800 but even that wasn’t enough for this secretive species in the trees. I went to 1600 expecting I’d just delete the shot during initial review but the image was much cleaner than I expected.

Yes, I know many of you would clone out the small twig near the back of the thrush, but I rarely alter images in that way.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Be sure to check the larger version to appreciate the lack of noise.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Tom Ingram on February 1, 2012 at 4:06 PM

Richard, Thank you for your self critiques and shared learnings. I am new to this and also had a shot of a Hermit Thrush yesterday and frankly your clarity is much nicer then mine. I am looking forward to learning from experts such as yourself and hope to be taking shots like this someday.

Registered on January 31, 2012, 2 Posts, 10 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 1, 2012 at 4:20 PM

Rich as you know all too well this kind of environment is one we here in the Northeast face continually. So it puts a smile on my face when you explain the conditions of this image. I'm not bothered by the encroaching twig or the busy branch in the foreground, as I see this as a very natural habitat image. The fact that you realized so little noise at this ISO setting is remarkable because I've never been this noise-free at 1600 with my D300. Very nice image, by the way.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 1, 2012 at 6:03 PM

Rich the very small crop really worked well with the ISO 1600 setting to produce a very high quality shot. I know how tough it is to even see a hermit thrush for all the trees they are usually buried in let alone get this nice an image of one and without the use of fill flash. Love the image as posted and I would not have cloned out the twig either. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 1, 2012 at 6:17 PM

I love the colors and light and the detail you can see in the larger version. To me the lack of noise is amazing.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 1, 2012 at 6:37 PM

Rich, I am glad you posted this image. I have always avoided taking a shot when a subject is back in these lighting conditions but you have shown me what a beautiful image can be captured. Thanks for expanding my possibilities. I like the subtle shadows on the bird and you still have the detail. Sweet.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 1, 2012 at 10:56 PM

wow--no noise reduction? that's impressive, and something I would not get with my 7D. It's an interesting shot, Rich. I like the green bg and the dappled light on the bird. I find myself wishing for a little more light just right in front of the eye, but I don't know if that would undermine the dappled look that I like. I'm less and less willing to clone these days, but that twig is a little nit for me, so if it were mine I'd consider cloning just a very small portion so that it did not touch the bird.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Nice quality for such a high ISO. Nice job under the dappled, uneven lighting. I have a D300s which I usually don't use at ISO's higher than 640 but this makes me think I will push that ISO even higher to see what resuts I can get.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 3, 2012 at 5:35 AM

Nice light filtered through the leaves. Excellent pose.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 3, 2012 at 5:43 PM

Very interesting to see that you can get this type of image for a D300 at iso 1600. I very seldom went above iso 800 when I had my D300. Good job of getting this in the shade / light conditions and still seeing good detail on the larger image.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 4, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Great details and colors. I'm amazed at the lack of noise at 1600.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 6, 2012 at 6:23 PM

Hi Richard

It's like being there , all is very natural. and beautifully done. Love the light and color. the high iso shows off the quality of the d300

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments