BIF question and request for critique

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tommose
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p.1 #1 · BIF question and request for critique

I caught this shot of a paid of Bald Eagles the other day from an airboat. I would like a critique, and maybe some advice on what to do about the background, since it was a cloudy day, and so it's whited out.

Thanks!

Tom

Oct 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM

AuntiPode
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p.1 #2 · BIF question and request for critique

The eagles are a bit small, relative to the frame. The lighting is very low in contrast and the white sky is a negative.

You could improve the image by cropping it, adjusting the Shadows/Highlights, masking and adding a graduated blue for a sky. But there are limits to how much you can improve it. Quality of light is pretty close to essential. Without it, even the best PP generally can't make a great image.

Oct 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM

sbeme
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p.1 #3 · BIF question and request for critique

I like this image. Great capture of the big birds.
If you are new to bird images you have discovered a frequent problem. How to get good feather detail against a bright sky, without blowing out the sky. The answer is.....you often cant. Unless you get a Better Beamer or other focused flash and are close enough to throw some fill flash from a distance.
Personally, I wouldnt change the background color, although it's certainly possible, with some PS skill, to put in a sky, perhaps with a bit of gradient.
As for the image as presented, I'd be tempted to bring in the crop a bit, while maintaining similar proportions. Maybe a tad off the right, more from the left and a bit from the top. They will still be pointing into open space, will look less lost in the whiteness. I like the OOF leaves and branches. Could use some additional sharpening and just a touch of shadow recovery.

Titusville, eh? Merritt Island NWR?

Scott

Oct 19, 2009 at 11:25 AM

tommose
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p.1 #4 · BIF question and request for critique

Actually, this was from a moving airboat on the Saint Johns River. I work at KSC, and have some photos from the NWR, and a lot of shuttle pix.

I was conflicted about the crop, because with the lack of light and our motion, and the higher ISO, I was concerned about graininess in the pic. I really like the OOF stuff too, and was afraid to lose it. I wish it had been a sunny day. I'll be going back on one.

Oct 19, 2009 at 12:30 PM

sbeme
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p.1 #5 · BIF question and request for critique

See if you can get the light behind you.

Oct 19, 2009 at 12:37 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #6 · BIF question and request for critique

At that distance f8 ISO400 would have been plenty DOF with a fast enough SS.
I'm not a PP guy but think this looks a little better...I could be wrong.

Oct 19, 2009 at 12:46 PM

tommose
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p.1 #7 · BIF question and request for critique

That's a nice crop, and I like the blueness you added to the BG. I'm still new to this nature photography stuff. I enjoy it, though.

Oct 19, 2009 at 01:00 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #8 · BIF question and request for critique

Thanks, Tom. It's great you have opportunities to capture these majestic birds...especially in flight!
Keep at it, I just adjusted WB...."Cloudy" works well in this light as opposed to AWB, IS turned off and
a burst of 3 or 4 will usually nail one for ya. I used to back off to 380-390mm and liked f8 for sharpest results. GL!

Oct 19, 2009 at 01:17 PM


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