Low light Nuthatch + REPOST

Let's get the techs out of the way first:

D2Xs + Sig 300-800mm @ 600mm
1/320th @ f6.3 - 0.7EV
ISO 2EV over 800 or H2 or 3200 (call it what you like!)

After having spent 2 hours waist deep in freezing water waiting for cormorants that never showed I'd basically had enough and decided to go home.

On the way back through the woods to the car I noticed a couple of nuthatches darting around an old pine stump - well, you've got to have a go havn't you

The sky had clouded over when I was in the lake and I was struggling for light there, so here in amongst all the trees it was non-existent

Not much more than 20 feet away from the stump my DoF was thinner than cheap loo roll and these guys were really motoring so all I could do was manual pre-focus on a spot they seemed keen to land on - suffice to say of 80 frames this is the only one any where near in focus

The perch isn't very nice really, but you take what you can get and this is virtually full frame.

I think I could have done with 2 or 3 flash heads here don't you - wonder if I can make a setup with an SB800 and 2 SBR 200's with a remote commander - what do you think Mr.Andrews

Thanks for looking as ever folks

PS - forgot to mention, the BG has had some real heavy NR in CS3

This is very nice Andy. Perhaps just a touch more saturation on the front of the nuthatch. You've cleaned it up very well for iso3200! I find weak light is a great time to experiment - like here it can be wonderfullly soft and subjects have such a natural feel - just so hard to work with.

Recently in such conditions I have been limiting myself to iso 800/1600 and learning to use shutter speeds of 50/60th with the 400 and x2 - and shooting lots of frames I do get the odd sharp one!

Hi Andy,
Agree with John's saturation tip but still very nice, which noise reduction software are you using? Since I've gone mac I've been trying noiseware and as it is a type that "learns" with use its got better all the time and I now prefer it to neatimage.

Tim

No thats given me a much needed kick in the but.
to sort out my noise problems. even at 400 it is horrendous.
nice work

I really like the soft colours here, nice and subtle. Tristan

A fine looking shot Andy

'Tis a good shot considering the circs,I think I would treat the tail to some NR though, as I think it would be better soft and noiseless than as is.Are you a bit mad,spending the day waist deep in water must have been a bit uncomfortablr to say the least!!!

Stu.

Good skills Andy, PP as well. Looks great at this size although Tail's looking slightly neglected

I've added a touch more NR to the tail, and a tad of sat on the blue chanel - I can't up the red or yellow at all as it just goes horrible!

Stuart - am I a bit mad you ask - judging by the way I ache with rheumatic I'd say that was an understatement

Tim - still Windows, so it's always neatimage - the day I can afford the switch to Mac I know where to come for advice mate

Very nice Andy
Good to see it wasnt a wasted day
Dave

Noiseware works in windows too, remember it needs training, anyway since when was money your limiting factor, surprised you haven't got a D3 which I see Andy Rouse is now spouting praises for



Tim

I don't know where you get these ideas from Tim

Mmmm..........I suppose I'd be spouting its praises too Tim if they'd let me use one for free too!

But I can't see the point of the D3 to be honest - the vaunted and rumourd D3X at 21+Mb might well be a different kettle of fish though - that I AM INTERESTED to see

Will have to give Noiseware a try - I take it that it's a CS3 pluggin?

Yep a pluggin and lovely interface to boot. Off for a bit of wildlife photog today .

Tim

Would suggest the removal of the OOF bark infront of the bird but no as much as to need to invent a claw. See above, but remember that I am limited in that I have 720 pixels to play with, would be much better with the RAW.

T

Great image and some goode reposts...

Great work Andy,does look better with Tom's crop

Now THAT makes a difference Tom - thanks, it would have taken me a while to figure that one out

The image itself is totally unsaleable as the H2 noise levels are horrendous on the 16bit but if I do this clone job of yours on it I'll get a nice image for the website at least.

Thanks for the input Tom - and Janet says to tell you your 'phone voice makes her toes curl - it's pathetic really but there you go

Hi Andy,

Very nice image , I'd be happy with any of the three

Regards

Andy...

Hi Andy great image and deservedly so.
John
Aberdeen

How can I miss this one Wonderful bird and perch. Very natural image. The third does it for me. Well done on this one.

Edwin

Good post, nice reworks all round and as usual some really helpful critiqueing.



Mark