Inspiring Photo: Gone Fishing #11144927

Gone Fishing

Uploaded: November 20, 2010

Description

Snowy Egret, Laguna Madre, South Padre Island

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 300.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

I would appreciate your input on this series. I was excited to get in on the fishing action, but found the editing with all the luminicity (?) difficult. Also, as usual the crops! #1329040

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

Ugh Dealing with Wifi is a pain sometimes. Here they are ONE at a time ! #9053858

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

next #9053861

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

Again #9053863

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

Another #9053864

Joan E. Hoffman November 20, 2010

and Last... which is the uncropped version of Catch of the day #9053866

Michael Kelly November 20, 2010

These are awesome Joan. I like the whole series with the very good detail you achieved. These are not huge birds and it is hard to get close to them, at least in my part of the world and I think you did a great job.

The only crop suggestion I have is that the Catch of the Day and Down the Hatch look just a touch tight and I would give them a bit more room.

You do have some blown highlights on some but I find that these birds do that almost without regard to lighting conditions because they are so white.

I don't have a good correction for you on the highlights as I can never seem to get mine in without producing artifacts. Most of the shots and the birds are fine and because of the great detail I don't think this is a big issue.

Please share your set up, camera settings, and lens. #9054181

Stephen Shoff November 20, 2010

Incredible series, Joan. I don't think I've ever seen one quite like it. I didn't know they ate things so large.

I had expected Mike to suggest using ACR Recovery on the highlights. His experience apparently dictates otherwise.

I agree with him on the crop...not for the usual balance reasons, but because the subject matter is a little too in my face (no pun intended). Of the two, I prefer the uncropped "Catch of the Day 2". #9054449

Anthony L. Mancuso November 21, 2010

Excellent series Joan..I have a Blue Egret that lives close to me and I can't get within 50 yards of him before he flies off...I can't offer much for the highlights other than the recovery slider in ACR as Stephen alluded too and the usual shadows/highlights tool in PS. #9054765

Michael Kelly November 21, 2010

By all means try the slider and shadows and highlights if you have not done that already. I was remiss in not suggesting those. On mine I usually find that they are too far out for those to help bring in the details in the very bright white areas. Keep your eye out for artifacts to appear as I believe it is better to have a few blown areas than to have an over processed look. #9055405

Rita K. Connell November 21, 2010

Wow Joan these are awesome, the clarity if very nice in all of them. I agree about the two with the fish the crop is a little tight. but both are exceptional. it looks like you are getting to have some fun! and I really can't pick which one I like the very best. way to go Joan! #9055571

Aimee C. Eisaman November 21, 2010

Awesome series Joan! I'm not seeing huge issues with the highlights, but a few adjustments might make these even better. I think 1,3,5 are my favorites out of the bunch. The only one I really don't like is the severe crop. I think the quality is an issue in that one. I really think you did a fantastic job here Joan. I would love to have shots like these! :~) #9055755

Joan E. Hoffman November 21, 2010

Okay. The tight crops were intentional... Want'd a full frame presentation, and since there was little else in the shot, did not feel it would be detrimental to lose it. Did use recovery, and the highlights/shadow adjustments, and because of my total lack of "eye" probably made the originals worse rather than better! It was so funny trying to get these... I was all just focusing and starting to check my settings, when he took off running with those big yellow feet, wings outspread... my first 3 shots were headless, legless and finally just a wing and and little else till I caught up. Overall was pretty delighted with the out come.

My setting were Aperture priority (which surprized me, cuz rarely use it) F 8, ISO 250 F/L 300mm and shutter speed 10/10000 which I assume is 1/100th.

1 3 & 5 are my favourites as well... but love the big yellow feet in 4 and seeing the fish eyes (radiating OH OH) in 2. Accidentally cropped the raw in 2 and didn't noticed till I pulled it up to recrop so just have the jpeg version left. Thanks for your input. Messed around with the edits a bit today, and maybe improved one a bit LOL #9056061

Jeff E Jensen November 21, 2010

These are all fantastic, Joan! I'd be proud to call any of them mine. #9056169

Carla Capra Anderson November 22, 2010

Hi Joan;
These are all amazingly wonderful images. Congrats!!!
I'm with you; 1, 3 & 5 are fav's of mine, too. The only suggestions would be to back off the tight crops, a bit. But, I understand why you'd want to bring it in ;) Elusive birds and you've taken some great images.
;) CC #9057108

Dale Hardin November 22, 2010

I'm on the bandwagon with 1,3,& 5 as well, Joan. An excellent series. As mentioned, the slight blown areas with a white object like this is sometimes unavoidable. You've done a great job with all of them. #9057368

Debbie E. Payne November 22, 2010

Joan -- Here I am piping up at the last minute. I've been out with the flu or something similar so haven't been around much. I like number 5 but I think you should continue to work on the close-up, fill the frame crop, because that would be my #2 choice if it were just a tad opened up. These are all great. #9057420

Kathleen Nealon November 22, 2010

Joan, all the compliments you have received are so well deserved. This is a great series. I guess my favorite is the original post. I love the clarity showing me the little round thing in his mouth. And the colorful reflections in the water are beautiful. I also think it captures the details of the feathers the best. #9058185

Ellen H. Robertson November 23, 2010

These are OUTSTANDING. So exciting to see him with the fish, great job. Not very often do you get to see this kind of action. You have captured such a wonderful subject. #9059696

Teresa H. Hunt November 23, 2010

These are a great series of shots. I have to agree with the rest that 1,3,&5 are my favorites. I think you've gotten some good suggestions. :) #9059894

Peter W. Marks November 23, 2010

I am enjoying these super images very much Joan and also the comments and suggestions of our friends. I too would have no idea how to successfully deal with the ultra bright white of his plumage. When ever I attempt it, I end up with a featurless grey blotch. #9060176

Michael Kelly November 23, 2010

Me too Peter so don't feel alone on that one. #9060240

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