Gray Catbird -See REPOST

Gallery: AvianPosted March 17, 2016165 views7 comments

Click on the image above for a larger view, or the expansion symbol for an even larger detail view.

Sorry about the confusion -- I posted the wrong image and then a comment so I could not delete it.

PROBLEM: I just can't bring myself to brighten up an image of a bird that I know is dark gray. As a result, this one looks to me like it is underexposed. Any hints on dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

Here's what looks like a simple shot, but I had to do a little work processing it. It did not stay put long, so I used my usual evaluative metering, and this dark gray bird looked overexposed when the bright leaves looked natural. (See image in the first comment, below. It's a GRAY Catbird, not a "Khaki" Catbird.) Global adjustment to get the bird's luminance right made the whole scene look underexposed. To get it looking like I remembered, with the leaves much brighter than the bird, I had to brighten the background, but not the bird. Seems strange to have to "argue" with the initial exposure. All I can think of to explain this is that the spotty light through the leaves must have been quite uneven.

PLEASE SEE THE REPOST IN MY SECOND COMMENT, below. BETTER? I think the results looks like what I saw, (in the REPOST in 2nd comment, below) because it's really quite a dark gray bird. However, the scene still gives me the feeling that it is underexposed. Do you think I should increase the brightness?

Thanks

Canon 50D; Canon 100-400
1/125 sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 640
Hand-held

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 17, 2016 at 11:17 PM

Here are my first two attempts at processing this shot.
The the bird in the original is way to light. The next one is sort of a "memory match" to show how dark the plumage is. The image posted is a compromise, trying to emphasize how dark the bird's plumage is. But I wonder if it still looks too dark overall.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 17, 2016 at 11:44 PM

REPOST: OK, Here's the brighter version. Does it still look underexposed? (SHOULD HAVE posted this one. - Sorry.)
If you FIRST click on the expansion symbol under the original post and leave the Detail Window open, you can go back to the post, scroll down to this comment AND then click on this one, you can compare them in two tabs on your browser. THANKS.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Bell on March 18, 2016 at 4:05 PM

I actually prefer the darker version. This is a dark bird, usually seen in the shadows. Dark is what it is, and what your darker version accurately portrays, in my view as a long-time birder (and short-time photographer).

Registered on February 21, 2016, 187 Posts, 192 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 18, 2016 at 4:34 PM

As an experienced birder I want my photos (and those from others tghatI view) to be as natural and accurate as possible.

I spent 20+ years birding in NJ. where Gray Catbird was a common species, so I've seen many of them. But I've only seen a handful here in AZ over the past 22 years, so my experience may not be as reliable as I'd like it to be.

With that said, I find the fourth image (8:44 MST time stamp) the best match to my expectations There may be a bit too much blue in the catbird mix as well..

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 18, 2016 at 4:56 PM

Wayne, my preference is for the fourth post. I haven't seen a ton of Grey Catbirds, but I just don't recall the blish cast at all. Which is why I chose the last post. And even it still has a bit too much blue, if memory serves.

The comp is good and I like the classic catbird habitat.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 18, 2016 at 7:56 PM

Never having seen this species, I can't comment on the accuracy of the tones in the bird, Wayne, but I do find the last version to look pretty balanced and about how I would expect to see a dark bird with a light bg. Excellent job on the detail in the bird.

devil

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on March 19, 2016 at 6:08 AM

Hi Wayne,
I like your 4th catbird the best. The colors seem to be balanced the best of all of your posted versions. You have some nice details in the plumage and the BG has some ideal color patterns too...........................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments