Body: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon 300mm f4 D AF-S IF ED Lens & TC 17E II
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
Exposure Comp: -0.7 EV
Active D-Ligthing: Low
Colour Space: Adobe RGB
AF Mode: AF-C
Drive: Continuous: Frame 6
Sensitivity: ISO 400
White Balance: Cloudy
Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 500mm
Flash: Off
Support:
Hand-Held
Processed:
Lightroom: RAW File 4288 x 2848
Photoshop: 16 Bit TIFF File converted to 8-Bit, Levels, Contrast 5%, Midtone Contrast +10%, USM 30%, 0.2, 0.0 (12 Passes), Saved As JPEG in sRGB Colour Space
Finished Image
File Size: 56.8MB
Image Size: 4288 x 2848
Comments & Critique welcome! Thanks for looking!
Hi Everyone,
I haven’t been able to get out as much as I would have liked in the last couple of weeks due to the TT races (actually I spent far too much time shooting these races and have over 2000 images to edit!), but I had a great time nonetheless!
Anyhow yesterday I managed to slip away for a quiet afternoon shooting Gulls. This shot is full frame – I couldn’t take the TC off nor could I take a step backwards either as I’m not a Gull !
It maybe a bit tight in the frame for some! Let me know what you think!
Gosh I'm away for a day and a half, and have a lot of catching up to do.....
As you said a touch tight, I would have prefered to see more of what looks to be an interesting environment, but as you say it is not often possible to drop TC's quickly, I guess owners of zooms have an advantage here.... I feel that the viewpoint is a tad too low but again appreciate that nothing can be done there, I assume you were on or very near to the edge of the cliff?
The bird looks well exposed and nicely detailed, gulls are good practice for exposure techniques...
Size is OK for me, herring gulls are big birds, so I am OK with the frame filling approach.
As Phil has remarked, the viewing angle is slightly unsettling - looking up at a walking bird, but that is a minor nit
One thing though regards your digital processing technique; I would question the processing step of 12 passes of USM sharpening? More is bad when using USM. You have avoided the halo look associated with large USM radius, but there is obvious black streaking in the wing covert feathers despite the soft light low contrast conditions.
USM works by increasing edge contrast, the more passes you do the more you block up the edges (each pass becomes a cumulative increase in edge contrast width) and results in 'crunchiness' at high contrast boundaries. You shouldn't really need more than 4 or 5 passes of USM at most, otherwise you risk the 'crunchy edged' look.
a smaller number of larger incremental steps would probably be better - try 3 or 4x "50%, 0.5,0" rather than 12x "30%,0.2,0", or 1 large step, of "300%,0.3.0" (ie standard input sharpening setting used as intial step to overcome anti-alias filter softening effects).
Mike
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 11, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Looking pretty good there Paul,, though I agree with Phils comments about POV, and it's a bit tight on the feet at the bottom of the frame.
Detail and exposure look spot-on though from here - nice one matey
A crisp and detailed shot but for me the main problem is that it lacks 'added value'. What really makes me interested in a shot of a bird is seeing it doing something eg flight, calling (classic herring gull activity!), feeding or indulging in other interesting behaviour. Other things that can spark my interest are to see a bird looking different eg from a new perspective, in great light or detailing one particular part or for that matter seeing a shot just like this of a bird that I'm totally unfamiliar with.
This is more a general comment on the sort of bird shots that I like than anything else but I thought I should right something less bland than 'Nice one Paul'...
It`s maybe a tiny bit tight, but it`s still a beautifully taken and processed portrait. Action is nice to see, as the previous poster said, but I don`t think action is always necessary for a pleasing shot. I like this!
Posted by Adam Seward on June 11, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I'd like to see more of the gull's surroundings, but its a well exposed shot all the same and you've done well within the limitations you've described!
It's a nice portrait of the Gull. I do agree with the amount of USM, although it does not look over sharpened. I use 100,0.2,0. 4 or 5 times. Any chance you have a spare room for next years TT??
The POV doesn't really bother me, but I do agree with your suggestion that it might be a little tight. Very interesting comments - especially about USM. I do see the black streaks now it has been pointed out.
Nice shot paul. Exposure looks good. I think that Mike has a point about the sharpening although I don't find it particularly intrusive; it just shouldn't need that much and I wonder if you really saw any noticeable improvement after you had done it three or four times. that looks like a nice bg. Eric
Discussion
14 repliesBody: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon 300mm f4 D AF-S IF ED Lens & TC 17E II
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
Exposure Comp: -0.7 EV
Active D-Ligthing: Low
Colour Space: Adobe RGB
AF Mode: AF-C
Drive: Continuous: Frame 6
Sensitivity: ISO 400
White Balance: Cloudy
Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 500mm
Flash: Off
Support:
Hand-Held
Processed:
Lightroom: RAW File 4288 x 2848
Photoshop: 16 Bit TIFF File converted to 8-Bit, Levels, Contrast 5%, Midtone Contrast +10%, USM 30%, 0.2, 0.0 (12 Passes), Saved As JPEG in sRGB Colour Space
Finished Image
File Size: 56.8MB
Image Size: 4288 x 2848
Comments & Critique welcome! Thanks for looking!
Hi Everyone,
I haven’t been able to get out as much as I would have liked in the last couple of weeks due to the TT races (actually I spent far too much time shooting these races and have over 2000 images to edit!), but I had a great time nonetheless!
Anyhow yesterday I managed to slip away for a quiet afternoon shooting Gulls. This shot is full frame – I couldn’t take the TC off nor could I take a step backwards either as I’m not a Gull
It maybe a bit tight in the frame for some! Let me know what you think!
Happy shooting,
As you said a touch tight, I would have prefered to see more of what looks to be an interesting environment, but as you say it is not often possible to drop TC's quickly, I guess owners of zooms have an advantage here.... I feel that the viewpoint is a tad too low but again appreciate that nothing can be done there, I assume you were on or very near to the edge of the cliff?
The bird looks well exposed and nicely detailed, gulls are good practice for exposure techniques...
As Phil has remarked, the viewing angle is slightly unsettling - looking up at a walking bird, but that is a minor nit
One thing though regards your digital processing technique; I would question the processing step of 12 passes of USM sharpening? More is bad when using USM. You have avoided the halo look associated with large USM radius, but there is obvious black streaking in the wing covert feathers despite the soft light low contrast conditions.
USM works by increasing edge contrast, the more passes you do the more you block up the edges (each pass becomes a cumulative increase in edge contrast width) and results in 'crunchiness' at high contrast boundaries. You shouldn't really need more than 4 or 5 passes of USM at most, otherwise you risk the 'crunchy edged' look.
a smaller number of larger incremental steps would probably be better - try 3 or 4x "50%, 0.5,0" rather than 12x "30%,0.2,0", or 1 large step, of "300%,0.3.0" (ie standard input sharpening setting used as intial step to overcome anti-alias filter softening effects).
Mike
Detail and exposure look spot-on though from here - nice one matey
Matt
Best wishes
Frederic
A crisp and detailed shot but for me the main problem is that it lacks 'added value'. What really makes me interested in a shot of a bird is seeing it doing something eg flight, calling (classic herring gull activity!), feeding or indulging in other interesting behaviour. Other things that can spark my interest are to see a bird looking different eg from a new perspective, in great light or detailing one particular part or for that matter seeing a shot just like this of a bird that I'm totally unfamiliar with.
This is more a general comment on the sort of bird shots that I like than anything else but I thought I should right something less bland than 'Nice one Paul'...
Cheers
Tim
no nits
Bertl
Viewing angle is slightly awkward for me, but a nicely taken shot nonetheless
Alan
It's a nice portrait of the Gull. I do agree with the amount of USM, although it does not look over sharpened. I use 100,0.2,0. 4 or 5 times. Any chance you have a spare room for next years TT??
Regards
Rob
Hi Rob,
Sorry, I've never have available room during the TT Races, even my office gets filled up!