GC Sparrow & RP X2

Gallery: AvianPosted October 6, 2017446 views10 comments

This was taken this morning in strong sidelight. Until the position of the sun changes in the next month or so, I face difficult lighting conditions from my shooting position and even fill flash isn't always helpful. Although head on shots aren't always the best, this is a good way to show the golden crown on the sparrow.

Iso 640, 600 mm, F10, 500th, tripod, D 850, -1 EV, fill flash at -2 EV, 65% full frame, Topaz adjust, TK sharpening action at 40%

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on October 6, 2017 at 3:56 PM

Outstanding image. Really like the perch. The detail is just excellent. My only suggestion would be to bring down the exposure just a bit. Well done.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on October 6, 2017 at 5:56 PM

Yes I agree the exposure is probably a little too much and I could have been happier with the original posting. I went back to the original file and added a few luminosity masks to decrease the brightness on the sun side and improve the contrast on the shadow side. Hopefully I didn't overdo it. The light is less flat but it is more dramatic.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 6, 2017 at 6:03 PM

Nice, David. Excellent detail and the lighting looks quite reasonable to me. I was listening to one of these on our morning walk and hopefully I'll get a shot at one before long. I just noticed your repost and I think you may have gone a bit too far in the other direction with it. Something in the middle of the two would appeal to me I think.

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

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on October 6, 2017 at 8:49 PM

I agree with Dennis. While both are very good, another in the middle would be excellent.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on October 7, 2017 at 11:16 AM

As requested, version 3 with decreased brightness left side and less decrease right side with slight contrast increase both changes using TK luminosity mask panel V

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 7, 2017 at 4:01 PM

Nailed it!

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

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on October 7, 2017 at 6:38 PM

Yes, I like the last version best of all. Nice image of this litlle guy, David. I always appreciate images of birds face on, where you get to see both eyes. This one has the face on of the face, but I get to enjoy some of the side profile of the body as well. Nicely done.

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 7, 2017 at 9:22 PM

Very nice head on pose here David, to my eye the first image is the best of the 3. Good use of fill flash. devil

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on October 8, 2017 at 10:31 AM

I vote for teh last rework. NICE!!

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 14, 2017 at 11:22 AM

Hey David,
I've been enjoying your small birds series on these great perches you have discovered, its hard to pick a favorite as they are all outstanding in their on way. I can however pick a favorite from the three versions of this composition and it would be, hands down, the original post. laugh

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments