Posted by David Sewell on August 25, 2009 at 4:54 PM
A recent holiday on the Isle of Wight gave me several opportunities for red squirrel shots. This one is about the best of them. OK, I know it is far from perfect. The animal was in deep shade, with strong sunlight outside the canopy. I have had to shoot at 800 iso, and because they were moving constantly it was necessary to hand hold the camera. As a result of the strong backlight I have had to clone in some green into a lot of bare areas. I did try fill in flash as well, but the results were very unsatisfactory and quickly discarded.
Other than the obvious repeat visit when the leaves are off the trees, I would be grateful for any advice about how I could have shot this better.
David
Nikon D200, 70-300 VR @ 300mm, 1/40th @ f8
Posted by David Kjaer on August 25, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Hi David
Very nice you have handled the BL very well. Would have been nice if it had come lower down but this is how we often see them!
Well it dont look too shabby to me as it is. Apart from throwing you flashgun at it to bring it down ( its a joke DO NOT THROW flashguns at Red squirrels ) I dont see how it could have been better
Oooops just seen some of the cloning work, maybe that could have been improved
Posted by Craig Jones on August 26, 2009 at 4:03 AM
Lovely pose caught and very nice to see the detail in the squirrel is very good and a natural looking image done well
Agreed can see the cloning... you could try this, on a seperate layer sample the green and then using a low opacity brush dab over the bg, you can then use a layer mask to reveal the squirrel and branch...
Most nits covered. I'd add that when possible, move round the subject a little to avoid things like branches 'growing' out of the subject's head. It probably wasn't possible to avoid the BG branch on this occasion because of the height of the squirrel.
Cheers,
Chris
Posted by tony flashman on August 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I am sure you could have tempted it down with your nuts david. Nits mentioned. A species that I have yet to shoot.
Discussion
6 repliesOther than the obvious repeat visit when the leaves are off the trees, I would be grateful for any advice about how I could have shot this better.
David
Nikon D200, 70-300 VR @ 300mm, 1/40th @ f8
Very nice you have handled the BL very well. Would have been nice if it had come lower down but this is how we often see them!
David
Well it dont look too shabby to me as it is. Apart from throwing you flashgun at it to bring it down ( its a joke DO NOT THROW flashguns at Red squirrels ) I dont see how it could have been better
Oooops just seen some of the cloning work, maybe that could have been improved
Nice image though of the good looking Red.
Most nits covered. I'd add that when possible, move round the subject a little to avoid things like branches 'growing' out of the subject's head. It probably wasn't possible to avoid the BG branch on this occasion because of the height of the squirrel.
Cheers,
Chris
Tony