Spent the morning out at City Park photographing the BCNH I have shot over the last few years. Another weekend without sun though made the exposure less than gratifying. Had to tweak some things in processing.
These are all excellent, regardless of light conditions. If I might make some suggestions...
Looking at a histogram, all three are slightly underexposed. You might also consider zooming in tight, selecting the eyes, and then raising the Curve slightly to give 'em a bit more pop.
Kurt, I am just getting started at bird and other wildlife shooting with a long lens - Nikon 200-400mm. When I grow up I want to be just like you. Great shots. Thanks for sharing.
Kurt, I am just getting started at bird and other wildlife shooting with a long lens - Nikon 200-400mm. When I grow up I want to be just like you. Great shots. Thanks for sharing.
I like the "standing at the water's edge", due to the nice one-footed pose and the lovely curve of the top feather. I think I would crop that one vertically.
I don't completely agree with you about the light. When it is super-sunny you have shadows and problems with highlights on white feathers blowing out. Snowy Egrets really have to be carefully exposed. Yeah, in cloudy weather you have to crank up your ISO a bit to get enough speed for BIF, but that's why you bought a Nikon D3, D700, D7000 or Pentax K-5, right?
On Thursday I was out at the botanic gardens in the rain. No people, but suddenly a Black-Crowned Night Heron landed in the pond of the Japanese garden. The composition and reflection all came together when the heron stretched his neck. I can't show it yet as I was shooting ISO 100 Velvia on my Pentax 645N. When my film comes back let's see if my technique was sufficient for shooting medium format 200mm f4 at 1/100s on a monopod.
Discussion
14 repliesFirst one...Stick Picking
Looking at a histogram, all three are slightly underexposed. You might also consider zooming in tight, selecting the eyes, and then raising the Curve slightly to give 'em a bit more pop.
They're out in force here too - love it!
Sandy
Rod, you crack me up!
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I don't completely agree with you about the light. When it is super-sunny you have shadows and problems with highlights on white feathers blowing out. Snowy Egrets really have to be carefully exposed. Yeah, in cloudy weather you have to crank up your ISO a bit to get enough speed for BIF, but that's why you bought a Nikon D3, D700, D7000 or Pentax K-5, right?
On Thursday I was out at the botanic gardens in the rain. No people, but suddenly a Black-Crowned Night Heron landed in the pond of the Japanese garden. The composition and reflection all came together when the heron stretched his neck. I can't show it yet as I was shooting ISO 100 Velvia on my Pentax 645N. When my film comes back let's see if my technique was sufficient for shooting medium format 200mm f4 at 1/100s on a monopod.
cool set, love 2 & 3!