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Snowy Egrets

Discussion in 'Birds' started by Uncle Frank, Jun 14, 2005.

  1. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Noon to 2PM is exactly the wrong time of day to go birding, particularly for white birds, but I managed to
    get 5 keepers from my session at the Baylands Preserve on Saturday.

    44769422.
    44769423.
    44769421.
    44708970.
    44708971.
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 14, 2005
    #1
  2. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    Very nicely done I know how hard it is to hold the highlights on these guys, I liek the shot of the pair it is very well done
     
    mike mac, Jun 14, 2005
    #2
  3. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Holding the highlights on these guys is difficult at any time, but particularly in this kind of harsh lighting.

    Nice pics.
     
    Flew, Jun 14, 2005
    #3
  4. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    The sun was brutal, so the "trick" to avoiding blown highlights was to use a perspective where the
    subjects were backlit. It left the birds underexposed, but I adjusted them in Photoshop.

    Rather than dodging and burning, I tried a method outlined by Scott Kelby. I created a blank
    top layer, blended it in the "soft light" mode, and then unused a feathered white paintbrush
    at 20% opacity to lighten the beasties. Worked like a charm!
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 14, 2005
    #4
  5. Keith

    Keith

    3,423
    Jan 29, 2005
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Great series and it looks like you managed those exposures beautifully..................
     
    Keith, Jun 14, 2005
    #5
  6. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Thanks, Keith.

    I've got a question I've been meaning to ask you for ages. What is the bird in your avatar dropping as it's flying? Thankfully, the objects seem to be coming out of its wings...
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 14, 2005
    #6
  7. Keith

    Keith

    3,423
    Jan 29, 2005
    Edmonton, Alberta
    LOL

    ROFLMAO!!!! Frank, yes those are feathers he is loosinggggggggggggg.....
    Had me going there for a minute. LOL
     
    Keith, Jun 14, 2005
    #7
  8. Backdoctor

    Backdoctor

    2,478
    Jan 25, 2005
    South Florida
    Early morning works better UF, I too hate the midday shadows and hard light:

    original.
     
    Backdoctor, Jun 14, 2005
    #8
  9. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Yeah, but only if you get your butt out of bed. You'd have still been snoring if Reznick hadn't rousted you out :-p.
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 14, 2005
    #9
  10. Backdoctor

    Backdoctor

    2,478
    Jan 25, 2005
    South Florida

    Nah, my aching back wakes me early each morning. :)
     
    Backdoctor, Jun 14, 2005
    #10
  11. Gale

    Gale

    978
    Jan 26, 2005
    Viera Fl
    Very nice Frank,

    I especially like seeing them with foliage in the image. Makes for a greater picture in my opinion..

    (Opinions are like toilet paper, everybody has a roll)

    I like the last one because that is a fresh little Snowey. Freshest birdie around..

    But oh so beautiful. Favorite bird here. :>))

    Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the Kelby tip also. My PSCS2 Kelby book should be here in a day or two. :>)))

    Layers drive me crazier than I already am. hahahaha VR VR VR VR
     
    Gale, Jun 14, 2005
    #11
  12. Philippe Roger

    Philippe Roger

    3,497
    Feb 6, 2005
    South SF Bay Area, CA.
    Hey Frank,

    I see you found the trees behind the duck pond 8) Nicely done in that really bright sunlight! I couldn't believe my eyes when I went there a few weeks back: they were so many youngs, adults and fly-overs every few minutes or so. So, I have got to ask: where are the flyers? :roll: :twisted: :)
     
    Philippe Roger, Jun 15, 2005
    #12
  13. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    They were flying all around me, but I couldn't figure out how to meter them in the harsh sunlight, Philippe. Next time, I'll make sure it's a morning or late afternoon session.
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 15, 2005
    #13
  14. Gilles

    Gilles

    1,602
    May 20, 2005
    Québec, Canada
    The last three are the ones i like the most. The last one is outstanding for the bird and the grass surrounding it.
     
    Gilles, Jun 15, 2005
    #14
  15. Blind Observer

    Blind Observer Guest

    Great job Frank, I love the last 2 ones.
     
    Blind Observer, Jun 15, 2005
    #15
  16. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Thanks, Gilles and Yanni!
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 15, 2005
    #16
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