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Purple Sandpiper

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by Rob Fisher on March 19, 2007 at 6:21 PM
Purple Sandpiper
Hi all,

Taken at Filey Brigg over the weekend.

From a technical view point I'm pleased with the shot, however I think it's missing something. Maybe it's the composition, or the lighting? :frown:

All comments welcome, :smile:

Rob

ps. This is the first photo processed using my new computer with VISTA on. (I don't have any hair left to pull out :mad:)

Canon 20D | 100-400mm @ 400m + 1.4tc | 1/200 f8
Posted by Pete Etheridge on March 19, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Hi Rob,

I see what you mean about it missing something - maybe if it was taken against a more colour contrasting bg - say blue????

Otherwise a very fine shot, of a species I've rarely seen (or should that be identified :rolleyes: )
:toast:
Posted by Mike Smith on March 20, 2007 at 5:04 AM
The shot looks about 1 stop overexposed and the colour balance is way off..... Purple Sandpipers are much darker than this, the legs and bill base are more orange than yellow and the head/neck should be grey not buffy brown!

Try balancing the black point from the darkest area of the eye, that should help restore the colour balance

Posted by Jim Greenfield on March 20, 2007 at 5:06 AM
I agree with Rob - it is the non-contrasting BG into which the bird blends which takes a little bit away from the shot. But after all, that is where these birds largely operate! Nice, sharp pic.
Posted by Sanford Dickerson on March 20, 2007 at 12:36 PM
HI,
Great photo. You Brits are serious photographers and your work shows it. I check your site daily and have never been disappointed. I greately admire you guys ( & gals) :toast: :toast:
Posted by Graeme Lee on March 20, 2007 at 5:32 PM
I agree with Mike, and the BG is a nice background, but the colour seems to clash? A good shooting angle and nice composition :toast:
Posted by Rob Fisher on March 20, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Hi,

Thanks all for the comments.

Mike : After taking a second look at the photograph I can see what you mean. I have tried to balance out the colour as you suggested.

Any better?

Rob :wavey:
Posted by Mike Smith on March 21, 2007 at 5:14 AM
Much much better, it is now a purple sandpiper and not a wannabe dunlin and calming down the brightness has worked wonders!

Using the eye of birds is a quick simple way to check the black point, once that is "tuned" the colour balance usually sorts itself out.

Posted by PhilH on March 21, 2007 at 5:38 AM
Hi,

Repost is much much better.... I managed to avoid Vista mainly because of the colour management being broken...

I like the setting but wonder if a slight crop from the top would help by removing the light patch top right (water ?)

:toast: