Green Heron w/redo

Gallery: AvianPosted February 5, 2017250 views5 comments

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
2/4/2017 – 4:11:47 PM
Canon EOS 7D EF400mm f/5.6L USM
1/1250 sec; f/7.1; ISO 640
Manual; Evaluative metering
LR5, PS6, Topaz DeNoise on background, Topaz Detail on bird, Curves on water and bird, full frame.

So, I used evaluative metering instead of spot metering most of the time today. Was evaluative metering appropriate for this image?

I'm really happy with this because I only have two other Green Heron images and both are in duckweed.

The lighting can be seen much better in the larger version.

I don't think the background should be any brighter. I do think the water is bright enough. If the bird didn't have the shadows on and around the head, I would say it stands out well enough from the background. The shadow doesn't look to be a complete shadow, it looks to be spotty, so the top of the head is not in shadow.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 5, 2017 at 1:23 PM

I understand your liking for this. The few I've found of these have always been in similar situations. The heron shows nicely in the larger image, though it looks like you lost some contrast in the brighter areas trying to bring up the shadows. You might select the shadows separately and bring them up independently of the brighter areas. A nice composition and I do like the image.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 5, 2017 at 3:48 PM

Barbara:

I think this image has a pleasant feel to it. You asked about "was evaluative metering appropriate for this image". I brought up the spot metering question on one of your posts not to say that it is right or wrong, but wondering if you really understand what the meter is doing for you (or to you). Any metering mode can get you to the right answer if you understand how to use them and what the meter is really telling you about the light present in the scene. This scene is largely neutral in reflectance with some dark parts in the background. Evaluative metering would have been a fine choice with the possibility of having to dial in about -1/3 EC. Just my quick analysis of the scene.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on February 6, 2017 at 12:48 PM

This is a nice moody shot of the Green Heron Barbara in it's habitat. I've been looking at it for a while trying to decide if it needs some clockwise rotation. It's really hard to see the water line but check it out, it might just be my eyes. This was a good find for you, I have a couple but not this good.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 6, 2017 at 10:36 PM

Redo with rotation, selective sharpening and brightening. Better?

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on February 7, 2017 at 10:23 AM

I think the repost is a definite improvement Barbara. And it still has that great moody feel of the original. It looks like you may given it more of a pano crop too, I like it. Excellent work!

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments