Blue Jay

Gallery: AvianPosted May 22, 2011141 views7 comments

The Blue Jay is one of those species that is quite prevalent but for some reason I can't seem to get good images of them. This was taken at Quogue Wildlife Refuge as the bird perched above a feeder. The lighting was atrocious so I had to use a high ISO and low SS in burst mode in hopes of getting something sharp. Certainly this isn't the same as an image with a low ISO and faster SS but I think the composition and colors make up for a slight lack in sharpness.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH
f/6.7
1/250s
ISO 1000
-.33 EC

Almost full frame (cut a sliver off both sides), minor clone of some bird crap, levels adjustment, NO noise reduction, sharpened using smart sharpen and USM all in CS5 on 27" iMac

- Luke

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 22, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Nice intimate portrait Luke. I would have guessed some noise reduction, as the background looks quite clean.

I can't get good images of these guys either. They're pretty camera shy around here.This would certainly help fill a hole in my portfolio!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 22, 2011 at 10:47 PM

I would be delighted to have taken this photo. Sharper, I guess would be a plus but this is plenty sharp and well posed and exposed. Good job IMO.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 23, 2011 at 7:33 AM

Really enjoy the close up look at the head and face Luke. Beautiful colors on the bird. I agree with you that it could be sharper.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on May 23, 2011 at 2:47 PM

Fine close up and the pech is different too !
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 23, 2011 at 5:05 PM

A good image to study the face of this species Luke. Your evaluation of the image is spot on IMO. The fact that this is almost full frame allowed you to keep the BG clean and not need NR it seems. That is nice.

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

Comment posted by Richard Hahn on May 24, 2011 at 8:19 PM

Luke,

Good job as usual

Registered on August 16, 2007, 14 Posts, 151 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2011 at 10:32 PM

Luke:
I don't have anything useful to add to your assessment of the image. I join Terry as someone who doesn't have a decent shot of this species. Your shot is much better than any I have.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments