Another Texas Bufflehead

Gallery: AvianPosted March 19, 2016101 views13 comments

I particular liked the good look at the iredescent colors of the neck and head. Processed using Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC 2014 along with Light Craft's LightZone. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f6.3
1/1250s
Focal Length 560mm (Teleconverter Engaged)
ISO 160

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on March 19, 2016 at 3:05 PM

Excellent exposure. The iridescence shows remarkably well and good detail in the blacks and whites. Well done.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 19, 2016 at 7:14 PM

That's one gaudy little Bufflehead, Jerry. Excellent work.

devil

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on March 19, 2016 at 7:43 PM

Jerry: very nice capture of the iridescence of the bird's head. Techs and pose are spot on. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on March 20, 2016 at 7:33 AM

Jerry,

This is one of your best bufflehead photos. The purples and greens on the head are excellent with good details in lights and darks devil

...............................Jim

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 20, 2016 at 11:43 AM

Jerry:

I like this image. Nice pose from the male and some nice water. My thoughts are that the image is a bit flat. Looking at the image histogram indicated that it would use more of the tonal range to create more depth and detail. Here's a quick version. I added a TK MT2 mask on a curves layer with Soft Light Blending Mode. Did a couple of dodges on the darkest parts of the bird. This is the result. See what you think.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 20, 2016 at 12:00 PM

Keith, your rework does have a bit more "pop" to it. Thanks for taking the time to work on it.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 20, 2016 at 3:50 PM

Nicely captured, Jerry. I agree that Keith's PS wizardry improves the photo, but it 's quite strong as posted. I really like your work in the color sheens in the forehead and neck.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 21, 2016 at 12:02 PM

Jerry - Great image of a Bufflehead. I have a similar shot and was thrilled to see that irridesence and get proper exposure. I think the as-posted shot suffers a bit from lack of tonal range (as pointed out) and maybe the whites on the head and body had been tweaked a bit too much. I'm sure if Keith's edits were done with a RAW file it would be 100% spot on. Keep the great work coming

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 21, 2016 at 7:34 PM

Nice exposure on this guy Jerry. I like the repost even better.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 21, 2016 at 8:55 PM

The repost is an improvement on an already cool shot Jerry. This one of my favorite ducks that I hope see and photograph someday. You have captured it beautifully. devil

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 22, 2016 at 4:37 AM

Jerry,
Wonderful capture, the colours are perfect.
ISO 160?

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 22, 2016 at 7:27 AM

Ken, there were areas of light and shade where I was photographing. I was trying to keep my shutter speed above 1/1000s to freeze the swimming motion. Hence the bumped ISO.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 26, 2016 at 12:09 AM

A beautiful portrait of this handsome drake Jerry. Excellent exposure work! Those iridescent colors are perfect.

Sweet One laugh

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