Taken today at Ubley Warren on the Mendips. As the first Adders did not show until gone 10:30, the light was quite harsh by then. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon on the post processing in Lightroom and I am still not sure if I have got it right.
As with all the Adders up there, they don't make it easy to get a clear shot, this was one of the better shots, but it meant lying belly down over some large rocks to get a better view!
Would appreciate some C&C on this one, particularly on the white balance, took quite a while until I think I got it about right!
I would be delighted to have got a shot like this Heath. Not sure if it looks a little dark but then I have never seen an Adder in the flesh so don't go by me.
The light may have been harsh but it looks like you've handled it very well. White balance looks fine to me but it's a species I know nothing about, so how accurate the colour is I don't know.
Good one.
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 22, 2010 at 5:19 AM
Colour looks pretty accurate to me Heath
The subject looks perhaps a little 'flat' and a little dark but due to the harsh light Justin mentions you'll make the BG look bad if you lift the levels any more.
It could do with a little bit of 'selective area' processing to get the best out it.
Nice to see them out and about and I hope you get the chance to do them with some more kindly light.
processing looks good to me, although since I've yet to see an adder in the flesh I can't really comment on how accurate the snake's colouring is. I can imagine it's very difficult to get them clear of their surroundings so you've done well here.
Looks Ok to me but then again I have never seen one in the flesh
Spent yesterday looking round my top secret site but alas no Adders
Posted by Brett Lewis on March 22, 2010 at 8:31 AM
This is spot on in my opinion, you have handled the light very well considering and that is the right colour for the adder as they always do look dark and 'flat' when they come out of hibernation. Worth going back in more subdued light and I'm sure he'll be around at least until he sheds his skin in a couple of weeks time.
Thanks for all the comments, very much appreciated, I was beginning to think I had been staring at it too long.
I came across 3 inidividuals on the day, all male, as I have some time off next week, I am going to go back if the weathers kind, generally this is a very good site and its quite possible to see 4 of the big 6 in one morning.
Discussion
8 repliesAs with all the Adders up there, they don't make it easy to get a clear shot, this was one of the better shots, but it meant lying belly down over some large rocks to get a better view!
Would appreciate some C&C on this one, particularly on the white balance, took quite a while until I think I got it about right!
regards
Heath
Camera Stats
Canon EOS50D
Sigma180mm
ISO160
f8
1/250
EV -2/3
Processed in Lightroom v2.6, with slight crop
Good one.
The subject looks perhaps a little 'flat' and a little dark but due to the harsh light Justin mentions you'll make the BG look bad if you lift the levels any more.
It could do with a little bit of 'selective area' processing to get the best out it.
Nice to see them out and about and I hope you get the chance to do them with some more kindly light.
Good job all round Heath
Matt
Spent yesterday looking round my top secret site but alas no Adders
Brett
I came across 3 inidividuals on the day, all male, as I have some time off next week, I am going to go back if the weathers kind, generally this is a very good site and its quite possible to see 4 of the big 6 in one morning.
kind regards
Heath
Lee