Probably the hardest lesson in bird photography I have learnt - well actually , that I haven't learnt!!
How on earth do you expose to keep the whites and retain shadow detail in Birds like this?!!?
Taken at Stover in Devon a few weeks ago. I don't think I have done a particularly bad job, but I have blown the whites a bit in sections. I suppose better and less harsh lighting would be the answer? It was taken at about 11.30am, so the sun was fairly high for winter.
Also, can't believe how much detail is lost on the 640k posting limit :o( It's not every day I get a full frame shot and have to reduce it so much :o)
All comments and help appreciated.
Also posted in main Avian Gallery.
Techs:
1d2, 500/4 + 2x, ISO 160, 1/200th, F9, RAW, SPot metering, G1325, AS B1, Sidekick
Posted by Paul Schröder on March 7, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Hi Greame,
Whites are a bit hot but not so bad. Preserve the whites and keep details in the blacks is difficult. Answer is less harsh lighting as you said or underexpose a little and correct in post processing. Another trick is two conversions, one for the whites and one for the blacks and blend the two together in PS.
You've done a good job on the Blacks and Whites (although you are right that compression looses a lot of detail). I had a flick onto your website and you have a good layout and some nice images.
Its a nice one and you seem to have done well in the PP, Know what you mean about the compression thing...
My way is to expose for the highlights, process for the shadows and bring the highlight detail back with a low opacity history brush, I always have difficulty combining exposures and getting it to look right but again the secret is to use a low opacity brush on the layer mask.
You could also try exposing for the highlights, and filling in the shadows a touch with some flash.
Posted by Sean Bolton on March 7, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Hi Graeme
You have done alright here and the black and white areas have good details.
My technique for this type of shot is to use evaluative metering and set the exposure compensation to -2/3 or -1 stop. Generally this prevents blow out of the whites but gives as much detail as is possible in the blacks. If you have a good exposure you can then adjust in PhotoShop as needed.
Thanks a lot for all the comments. Really helpful. I have been trying the double-processing method and it seems to have a lot of potential - BUT some of the whites are still blown regardless of what i do :o(
Must look at my histogram more!
In PS, added some contrast and a bit more USM than I normally would and it's looking really good now IMO. May well repost in a few weeks (give you all time to forget it!!!!)
Had a look at the web article that Mike suggested and it was good. Really useful.
Discussion
7 repliesHow on earth do you expose to keep the whites and retain shadow detail in Birds like this?!!?
Taken at Stover in Devon a few weeks ago. I don't think I have done a particularly bad job, but I have blown the whites a bit in sections. I suppose better and less harsh lighting would be the answer? It was taken at about 11.30am, so the sun was fairly high for winter.
Also, can't believe how much detail is lost on the 640k posting limit :o( It's not every day I get a full frame shot and have to reduce it so much :o)
All comments and help appreciated.
Also posted in main Avian Gallery.
Techs:
1d2, 500/4 + 2x, ISO 160, 1/200th, F9, RAW, SPot metering, G1325, AS B1, Sidekick
Whites are a bit hot but not so bad. Preserve the whites and keep details in the blacks is difficult. Answer is less harsh lighting as you said or underexpose a little and correct in post processing. Another trick is two conversions, one for the whites and one for the blacks and blend the two together in PS.
Paul
NL/Rotterdam
Shoot RAW (as you have) and process the image twice and digitally blend, see the highlight recovery procedure explained here
http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/ps_pro_primers.html
Mike
You've done a good job on the Blacks and Whites (although you are right that compression looses a lot of detail). I had a flick onto your website and you have a good layout and some nice images.
Rob
Its a nice one and you seem to have done well in the PP, Know what you mean about the compression thing...
My way is to expose for the highlights, process for the shadows and bring the highlight detail back with a low opacity history brush, I always have difficulty combining exposures and getting it to look right but again the secret is to use a low opacity brush on the layer mask.
All the best
You have done alright here and the black and white areas have good details.
My technique for this type of shot is to use evaluative metering and set the exposure compensation to -2/3 or -1 stop. Generally this prevents blow out of the whites but gives as much detail as is possible in the blacks. If you have a good exposure you can then adjust in PhotoShop as needed.
cheers
Sean
Must look at my histogram more!
In PS, added some contrast and a bit more USM than I normally would and it's looking really good now IMO. May well repost in a few weeks (give you all time to forget it!!!!)
Had a look at the web article that Mike suggested and it was good. Really useful.
Thanks again.
Graeme