Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 1, 2015 at 6:31 AM
Bill,
This is a real beauty, perfect use of the backlight
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on May 2, 2015 at 11:58 AM
Hi Bill,
There's a lot to like in this image - great lighting to work with, an incredibly cute subject posing well, and more. Based on what I'm seeing above, I think you made good decisions in the field, especially in the exposure and in aperture choice.
However, I have to play devil's advocate on the post-processing, and I acknowledge I'm moving into the zone of personal preference and "artist's discretion". But I know you like me to call 'em exactly as I see 'em!
To ME, the final product here looks totally artificial (almost "computer generated"), and almost the entire reason is excessive shadow recovery. I noticed this on my first glance, and when I scrutinized the image more closely I was left thinking "how can that backlighting make the rim glow SO strongly - and beautifully - and yet the subject is fully front-lit with NO shadows whatsoever?". To me this looks like either one of two things - a strongly flash-filled image OR one with excessive HDR applied to it (which in this case mostly takes the form of excessive shadow-filling/recovery).
I want to be clear - many, many folks will LIKE this kind of treatment (and this is SUCH a cute image that's hardly surprising). But to me (personal opinion) it ends up looking too much like a painting and too far from natural lighting that it hampers my appreciation of it as a photograph. It's my view that the real trick to post-processing is being really subtle in lighting adjustments, and not take adjustments past the point where they appear natural - and shadows aren't necessarily bad things! It's all about exposurebalance...and keeping those balances within the zone of reality.
Cheers...
Brad
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on May 2, 2015 at 10:00 PM
Hello again and thanks to all who posted feedback. Really appreciate them!
Brad...I had exposed the very best I could with the severe backlighting and rim lighting. The results were flat and no contrast being backlit. I processed in RAW with Shadow adjusted up then in PS6 with Shadow/highlight to try to get better definition and some contrast. No HDR & No Fill flash. This is almost full frame with some cropped away from left side.
The area where these fox gather only has one west facing view that can be utilized and this capture was about three weeks ago at 6:30pm with low sun .
Appreciate your honest feedback....As usual!:)
Cheers
Bill
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on May 2, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Hey Bill,
I knew you didn't use fill flash or a specific HDR program (but that's what shadow recovery actually is...HDR), just that it LOOKED like overdone flash fill or HDR!
I do want you to know that with a little re-processing (bringing SOME of the shadows and inherent contrast back) I think this would be a simply outstanding shot (that could look realistic!). But as is it's still an incredibly cute capture that many would just love!
Cheers...
Brad
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comments
10 commentsVery very cute!! The backlighting on the fur is marvelous.
Fantastic Bill in every respect. Love the inquisitive look on his face.
Cheers,
Hisham.
Beautiful use of backlighting and very well composed here Bill, super shot!
Nice one Bill!!! I like the texture of the small hairs in this backlight and of course the very cute subject.
Just love the rim light n super cute expressions!
Even the rock, it is sitting on on looks great!
Jagdeep Rajput
Hello fellow NPN
I enjoy watching the antics of these amazing little guys & feel an image captured is icing on the Cake!
Thanks for the feedback & support :)
Cheers
Bill @ www.BillBickle.com
Bill,
This is a real beauty, perfect use of the backlight
Hi Bill,
There's a lot to like in this image - great lighting to work with, an incredibly cute subject posing well, and more. Based on what I'm seeing above, I think you made good decisions in the field, especially in the exposure and in aperture choice.
However, I have to play devil's advocate on the post-processing, and I acknowledge I'm moving into the zone of personal preference and "artist's discretion". But I know you like me to call 'em exactly as I see 'em!
To ME, the final product here looks totally artificial (almost "computer generated"), and almost the entire reason is excessive shadow recovery. I noticed this on my first glance, and when I scrutinized the image more closely I was left thinking "how can that backlighting make the rim glow SO strongly - and beautifully - and yet the subject is fully front-lit with NO shadows whatsoever?". To me this looks like either one of two things - a strongly flash-filled image OR one with excessive HDR applied to it (which in this case mostly takes the form of excessive shadow-filling/recovery).
I want to be clear - many, many folks will LIKE this kind of treatment (and this is SUCH a cute image that's hardly surprising). But to me (personal opinion) it ends up looking too much like a painting and too far from natural lighting that it hampers my appreciation of it as a photograph. It's my view that the real trick to post-processing is being really subtle in lighting adjustments, and not take adjustments past the point where they appear natural - and shadows aren't necessarily bad things! It's all about exposure balance...and keeping those balances within the zone of reality.
Cheers...
Brad
Hello again and thanks to all who posted feedback. Really appreciate them!
Brad...I had exposed the very best I could with the severe backlighting and rim lighting. The results were flat and no contrast being backlit. I processed in RAW with Shadow adjusted up then in PS6 with Shadow/highlight to try to get better definition and some contrast. No HDR & No Fill flash. This is almost full frame with some cropped away from left side.
The area where these fox gather only has one west facing view that can be utilized and this capture was about three weeks ago at 6:30pm with low sun .
Appreciate your honest feedback....As usual!:)
Cheers
Bill
Hey Bill,
I knew you didn't use fill flash or a specific HDR program (but that's what shadow recovery actually is...HDR), just that it LOOKED like overdone flash fill or HDR!
I do want you to know that with a little re-processing (bringing SOME of the shadows and inherent contrast back) I think this would be a simply outstanding shot (that could look realistic!). But as is it's still an incredibly cute capture that many would just love!
Cheers...
Brad