Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 28, 2006 at 8:30 AM
Hi to all,
This is my first Cock Pheasant taken at Potteric Carr ,
the shot was taken in really bright light , I think I should have dropped down a stop or two to try and avoid the hot white collar ??? , I've also tried to sharpen the image as most of the images I post here look terrible compared to the original file.
Slight crop from the left , USM in CS2
Canon 20D , 500mm F4 L IS , 1.4T/C , W/Hv2 , Gitzo 1325
1/100th at F8 iso100
All comments and advice welcome
Regards
Andy...
I've just had a look at the image and it still looks terrible on my monitor , as I've stated before the printed image is pin sharp so what am I doing wrong , help needed
Posted by Pete Etheridge on November 28, 2006 at 8:47 AM
Hi Andy,
Not sure about the sharpness issues, but I feel the photo could maybe have done with a lower viewpoint. The bird is also quite central, but they are hard to compose due to the long tail.
Sorry to be a bit negative - they are only my personal opinions and shouldn't be taken as gospel!
Andy,
I think you are being a bit hard on yourself, it certainly doesn't look terrible.
You have captured an attractive bird and the image shows its wonderful colours and iridescence.
They are a difficult bird to compose well and at sizes for web presentation some of the details can be lost, especially if the background is busy, as is the case in your image.
You have also identified the other issue, the bright light. With the white collar there will always be a compromise on the exposure. Expose for the colour and detail and you will often lose the highlights. Better to have slightly overcast/diffuse light.
Might be your first, but shouldn't be your last
Posted by Dennis Alden on November 28, 2006 at 11:57 AM
I agree with Christopher. I know from my own experience how difficult it is to get a good photograph of a pheasant - especially in bright or harsh light - very difficult to control the whites. Still a reasonable first try - and it gives you something to improve on
With the sharpness issue - are you sharpening after you resize?? It should be the last action you take prior to saving for the web.
A difficult bird to photograph well with that long tail, but you have done well with the composition IMO
Terry
Posted by Phil Shaw on November 29, 2006 at 3:02 AM
As posted, nothing in the image is sharp. You would need to provide full details of your workflow if we are to help you to work out what the problem may be.
Discussion
5 repliesThis is my first Cock Pheasant taken at Potteric Carr ,
the shot was taken in really bright light , I think I should have dropped down a stop or two to try and avoid the hot white collar ??? , I've also tried to sharpen the image as most of the images I post here look terrible compared to the original file.
Slight crop from the left , USM in CS2
Canon 20D , 500mm F4 L IS , 1.4T/C , W/Hv2 , Gitzo 1325
1/100th at F8 iso100
All comments and advice welcome
Regards
Andy...
I've just had a look at the image and it still looks terrible on my monitor , as I've stated before the printed image is pin sharp so what am I doing wrong , help needed
Not sure about the sharpness issues, but I feel the photo could maybe have done with a lower viewpoint. The bird is also quite central, but they are hard to compose due to the long tail.
Sorry to be a bit negative - they are only my personal opinions and shouldn't be taken as gospel!
I think you are being a bit hard on yourself, it certainly doesn't look terrible.
You have captured an attractive bird and the image shows its wonderful colours and iridescence.
They are a difficult bird to compose well and at sizes for web presentation some of the details can be lost, especially if the background is busy, as is the case in your image.
You have also identified the other issue, the bright light. With the white collar there will always be a compromise on the exposure. Expose for the colour and detail and you will often lose the highlights. Better to have slightly overcast/diffuse light.
Might be your first, but shouldn't be your last
With the sharpness issue - are you sharpening after you resize?? It should be the last action you take prior to saving for the web.
dennis
Terry