Touchdown + repost

One for those of you able to go to the conference this weekend. My wife and I visited Slimbridge on Sunday, and spent the latter part of the afternoon photographing Bewick's swans whilst they were being fed. You have to shoot through glass, but it is possible to get decent shots.

The swans are fed at 4.30, but be there before 4.00 if you want decent seats. If the sun is out, light is best at about 4.15-4.30. Hvae a great time.

Details:

Nikon D200 and 50-500mm Sigma at 420mm. 1/750th @f6.3, rated at 640asa. Full frame.

a well timed shot David. It could maybe do with a touch more sharpening and perhaps a little more contrast?

Matt

Thanks, Matt. Having tried it, you are quite right.

David

Hi David,

An excellent image and one i would love to have in my files!
I have tried a bit more on the image as i think a little bit of dodging might make it stronger.
Hope you don't mind.

Here's what i did:
-Dodge the Swan
-Burn the BG
-Used Selective Color to take out a bit of the cyaan cast from the water
-Used a bit of curves and contrast

Unfortunately the image was very compressed and shows harsh signs of artifacts otherwise i could have sharpened it a bit nicer.

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Thanks, Jeroen. That is exactly the sort of useful, constructive criticism that keeps me coming back to this site.

Thanks again.

David