Got any nuts?

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 13, 2012156 views13 comments

Thanks for the comments on my last post. Here is a Red squirrel taken recently in Yorkshire.

Techs: Canon EOS 7D, EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, tripod and gimbal. f/4, 1/500th sec, ISO 1600, aperture priority, -0.33 EV. Imported with Adobe camera raw and processed in CS5. NR with Nik Dfine. About 40% cropped from the top and left.

This is the first time I've used the 7D at 1600 ISO in anger and I'm impressed. The weather was overcast and foggy and with the woodland environment the light was very challenging. The squirrels can move very quickly, so pushing the ISO was my only option.

My own critique: I'd have liked to have used f/8 for more DOF, but it would have meant pushing the ISO even higher.

Thanks to Simon Phillpotts for making this possible.

All c&c's welcome as always.

Thanks,

Paul.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on March 13, 2012 at 6:46 PM

Hi Paul like the approach of the squirrel coming over the log. Would look at removing/reducing the Magenta overall and add some mid tone to the image. You are in safe hands with Simon.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 13, 2012 at 7:18 PM

Good advice by Steve as the magenta immediately caught my eye.
Lovely perspective, DOF and sharpness though with the overcast light working nicely...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on March 13, 2012 at 11:47 PM

Lovely, endearing image, Paul, and the shallow dof is not a bother really.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 14, 2012 at 1:26 PM

Hi Paul, this is an engaging image of a lovely subject. I did somehow instantly miss the beautiful tail these red squirrels have though.

The handling in PP'ing of the high ISO was expertly done, at least judging by the large version included. I agree that some more DOF would have been a plus, but I also think you made the right choice in this situation.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Whippey on March 14, 2012 at 4:03 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Thanks for the processing advice Steve.

Registered on September 16, 2011, 16 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on March 14, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Hi Paul you are most welcome as I have just arrive back from Canada.

Can fwd my thoughts if you want to compare.

cheers
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Whippey on March 14, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Thanks Steve, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Colour balance is one area I need to improve on and its full of subtleties which I miss sometimes when processing.

Thanks

Paul.

Registered on September 16, 2011, 16 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on March 14, 2012 at 6:08 PM

RP on here, or sent via email. Not perfect as it is working from the web file, but may give you a steer, just let me know.

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Whippey on March 14, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Hi Steve, a RP on here would be good if that's okay?

Thanks,

Paul.

Registered on September 16, 2011, 16 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on March 15, 2012 at 1:48 AM

Hi Paul, not ideal, but...

Reduced the Magenta, applied some Levels adjustment. The greens of the moss look hot now, but it gives you a steer, although I think the conditions were more overcast than portrayed in the RP.

cheers
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 15, 2012 at 12:25 PM

Nice image. I, too, thought about how it would have been nice to have some of the tail showing. Regarding exposure, how about applying the tweak to only the squirrel and leaving the greens as originally presented?

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Whippey on March 15, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Thanks Steve, that's given me a great steer. I've processed a few images tonight and tried your suggestions, I can see its made a big difference.

Thanks Lon, I've applied the colour corrections to only the squirrel, works a treat! Thanks everyone.

As for the tail, I've got lots of them with the tail in shot, as you normally would see photos of these animals. I thought this one would be a more interesting/unusual pose though.

Thanks,

Paul.

Registered on September 16, 2011, 16 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 19, 2012 at 11:56 AM

Excellent detail and color. This shot also shows the timid behavior often displayed. nice work

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments