Little Blue Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted October 7, 2013197 views11 comments

Another one from my backyard.

Canon EOS 7D
EF400mm f/5.6L USM
10/5/2013 – 3:47:51 PM
1/640 sec
Manual
f/5.6
ISO 400
Handheld

This one is cropped to 49% of full frame, so I can't crop any more, but I could crop differently. I like the way the foliage looks at the bottom/right, so that's why I cropped it like this.

The histogram still is all in the left half, but I think it's because of all the dark foliage? I don't know if that makes sense. I moved the black output marker over to 10. I also moved the white input marker back to 224.

I also used Curves.

I was able to move to where I could get mostly separation of the bird from the background.

Questions: Is this still too dark? Have I reduced the richness of the colors too much in lightening it up? Would you crop this a different way? Is the foliage just too much?

All comments and critiques would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 7, 2013 at 10:47 PM

This looks good to me as posted. I think the subject and surroundings are predominately dark so your histogram has to be weighted to the left as you noted. I don't think you need to make any further adjustments to the histogram at this point.

The basic question I always ask when evaluating any image (my own or someone else's) is: does it look natural? The photographer always has the advantage by having seen the original scene; viewers must rely on personal experience. For me, this image looks very natural in both color and tone.

I'd personally try to get this a bit tighter, but we all know the limitations of focal length. I agree that you wouldn't ant to crop this any more to preserve image quality.

Overall, this is nice just as posted.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on October 7, 2013 at 10:53 PM

I like this as you've presented it, Barbara. the composition works really well for me as is, I like the way the lines of vegetation frame the bird at left, bottom, and right. exposure and colors look great to me also. ordinarily I'd prefer more of a head turn toward the viewer, but in this case I'm not feeling that need. this is a good looking image.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 7, 2013 at 11:16 PM

What a handsome bird. You got great feather detail on the bird and the colors look very natural. I like how you cropped and think you've got an excellent image. The bird stands out from the BG nicely. Your work to do that paid off. I'd like to reach right out and touch it. Some crazy backyard you've got.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 8, 2013 at 10:02 AM

To me the image is nice as posted. I do however like dark images, so maybe others will think differently. The bird looks a little purple on my screen - but I do not know the bird and the foliage looks natural, so I assume this is the birds real color

. Nice shot ! Wish I had a backyard like that

, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 8, 2013 at 12:59 PM

Sharon, this is a wonderfully sharp image especially considering such a strong crop. The environment frames the bird very nicely and the comp is quite nice. It's been quite a while since I've seen such a good image of a Little Blue. This species is IMO one of the prettier of the long-legged waders, and in my view largely underrated from a photographic standpoint. In breeding plumage they really pop.

As Rich says, I think you are the best judge having been at the scene, and the subject stands out nicely, although you could exercise the option of going a touch brighter. When I print, I often experiment with several different adjustments before printing big. I'm really envious that you have such a nice back yard - I'd be hard pressed to venture far from it. Excellent work!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 8, 2013 at 7:31 PM

Nicely done as presented, Barbara.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 8, 2013 at 10:53 PM

Beautiful detail and coloration on the heron Barbara. Have to trust yourself on this one Barb, the composition and post-processing looks great in my opinion.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 9, 2013 at 3:48 AM

A very natural looking photograph to my eyes. Great pose and excellent detail. Feels as if he is standing in a window, peering at you from the inside of his home.

Nice Work Barbara!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 9, 2013 at 9:21 AM

A very nice shot. The bird tracks up through the gap in the foliage nicely. Fine work.