Past few weeks I was trying to get closer and closer to Kingfishers. Some attempts were successful and some attempts were not. You might remember some posts I did of some attempts. This time I was fairly close. Decision is yours whether I have done enough justice to get closer. I am giving below the shooting data for the viewers who could not check the Exif data. Comments and critics are very much appreciated.

Jude

#1 of 3

Focal Length = 400mm, Exposure Time = 1/800", F Number = F8, Exposure Program = Manual, ISO Speed Ratings = 400, Metering Mode = Average, White Balance = Auto white balance, Flash = Flash did not fire, Software = Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows.

#2 of 3

ISO Speed Ratings = 400, Exposure Time = 1/1000", F Number = F5.6, Exposure Program = Manual, ISO Speed Ratings = 400, Metering Mode = Average, White Balance = Auto white balance, Flash = Flash did not fire, Software = Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows.

#3 of 3

Focal Length = 400mm, Exposure Time = 1/1000", F Number = F5.6, Exposure Program = Manual, ISO Speed Ratings = 400, Metering Mode = Average, White Balance = Auto white balance, Flash = Flash did not fire, Software = Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows.

What a beautiful capture. If I remember correct the first shot is the best I have seen from your common kingfisher series. Vibrant colors. Great job.

Harsha

Very nice, those colours are pretty unreal.

I've been spending the last few weeks stalking a pair of Belted Kingfisher's near me and they seem as though they'll do anything not to be captured in my camera.

Lovely captures Jude! love the vivid colours! my pick is #3 I just love the smooth bg
i got a kingfisher too at 420mm (used the Tc) although the bg was not very pretty...i'll post it next week!

These look very good, Jude. Vivid colors and nice detail. I like the first one best.
Socrate

Jude, you pumped up the contrast and color saturation on this bunch.. and I like them great job on these, care to explain your PP techniques to get the vivid colors?

Jude,

you've really managed to make the colors sing in these. Super vivid & inviting.

I pick # 1 as my top pick.

Lovely shots

Lil

That first one is stunning. Very nice job. Wow.

Tim

One Day I would Love The Chance To Shoot These Wonderful Birds. I think you have Done A Great Job There High On My List To Shoot. One Question What Part Of The World Do You Live In Jude ?? Thanks For Sharing. Ed

Jude great job. What a beautiful bird.

Ted

72chevelle454 wrote:
Jude, you pumped up the contrast and color saturation on this bunch.. and I like them great job on these, care to explain your PP techniques to get the vivid colors?

Hi Chad, The color saturation I have not bumped up that much. When I open my RAW image from Camera Raw 4.0 in CS3 the maximum adjustment of the saturation is around 15. For these 3 images I have adjusted up to 12 only. The contrast and vividness I have obtained from selective shadow/highlight and curves. In my experience if you bump-up too much saturation it would not only look artificial but the color of the bird and surrounding also would not be close to its natural color.

Thanks for checking out and very much appreciated your comments.

Jude

Wow Jude, that is one colorful bird and you captured it beatifuuly. favorite is the first one!

Doug

Another good way is to set the hide.... you may get better shots too.

harshaj1 wrote:
What a beautiful capture. If I remember correct the first shot is the best I have seen from your common kingfisher series. Vibrant colors. Great job.

Harsha


I also feel same Harsha. Thanks for taking time to comment.

Jude

Josh S wrote:
Very nice, those colours are pretty unreal.

I've been spending the last few weeks stalking a pair of Belted Kingfisher's near me and they seem as though they'll do anything not to be captured in my camera.

Kingfishers are difficult to capture. And flying shots are even more difficult. I was able to capture Kingfishers in flight only once. Thanks Josh for your comments.

Jude

Nello Milanese wrote:
Lovely captures Jude! love the vivid colours! my pick is #3 I just love the smooth bg
i got a kingfisher too at 420mm (used the Tc) although the bg was not very pretty...i'll post it next week!

Thanks Nello for your comments. Eager to see your Kingfisher post.

Jude

Shasoc wrote:
These look very good, Jude. Vivid colors and nice detail. I like the first one best.
Socrate

Thanks so much for your kind words Socrate. Very much appreciated for taking time to comment.

Jude

The first one is great

Lars Johnsson wrote:
The first one is great

Second that !! Great colors and light!

Jude, if you get any closer you can hand feed them I like the first shot, and I like the colors you are trying to represent but for my personal taste they are too saturated and a bit un-natural to me. On that second shot you should have whispered 'fishy' to him to get him to turn his head to look back at you Great efforts and nice results.

Karl

Yowser those colors are intense!!!!!!!!
Cool --
Susan

Karl Witt wrote:
Jude, if you get any closer you can hand feed them I like the first shot, and I like the colors you are trying to represent but for my personal taste they are too saturated and a bit un-natural to me. On that second shot you should have whispered 'fishy' to him to get him to turn his head to look back at you Great efforts and nice results.

Karl

Thanks Karl. Regarding getting closer to birds, I was getting some training from Socrate. He is the expert. This bird is very colorful. In bright sunlight it represents similar colors as in the 1st image. Maybe image 2 colors are too vivid. Thanks so much for your comments. I am giving below the Wikipedia link showing the colors of this bird. The picture looks dull but of course you can judge the colors.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Common_Kingfisher_I_MG_0348.jpg

Jude

Lil Judd wrote:
Jude,

you've really managed to make the colors sing in these. Super vivid & inviting.

I pick # 1 as my top pick.

Lovely shots

Lil

Thanks Lil. Appreciate very much your comments.

Jude