via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I photograph a number of hummingbirds from my porch. I'm always amazed at how software can take one of these images that is ok, let's say technically ok, and make it into something much better. Knowing how to use your software effectively can take your images to the "next level." The images do need to be of high quality and sharp.

This hummingbird image is an example. The image was shot with a Nikon D850 and a Nikon 500PF and, yes, gear does matter for wildlife images. But, use the very best gear you can obtain. I used LrC, Topaz DeNoise, and PS for this image.

The first step was to decrease any auto sharpening that has been applied to the image in LrC then opening the image into Topaz DeNoise. I let the Topaz software decide on how to de-noise the image, but I did increase sharpening a bit. Back in LrC I used the Transform panel and the Scale slider to increase the subject size within the overall image and to position it differently. I then opened the image in PS and used the crop and content aware feature to include more image background on the right and to remove a portion of the image from the left. To continue with removing the feeder I used the Content Aware feature and Patch tool. Using the Clone tool I smoothed out the image background. Returning the image to LrC I used the Transform tool again and repositioned the image as well as cropping it a bit and making sure it was in the correct ratio that I wanted. The image needed very little processing for the subject, just some contrast, lightening of shadows and blacks, and a bit of local sharpening using the LrC brush tool. All of this took less than 5 minutes as I know all of these software programs very well. The final image is shown below. Knowing what your software can do and how to use it effectively will allow you to create the very best image you can.

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joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

You need to clone a pair of skis onto that hummer 😋🤪😯😜

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Yep, coming in "hot," as the saying goes....

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Your last sentence of the first paragraph says it all: "The images do need to be of high quality and sharp."

I do all my processing in Photoshop and Topaz DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI. When I'm really serious about an image I will open the RAW file directly into ACR otherwise I export it from LRC to PS accepting the processing LRC does.

After reading the description of your work flow and seeing the results I will have to reconsider the possibility of doing some processing in LRC.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I process all of my images using LrC first. I normally only use PS to remove items (either Patch, Spotting, or Clone tools), add canvas and content aware fill. I'll also sharpen in PS using High Pass when I think an image needs it. I don't use ARC or, normally, any of the processing tools in PS "proper." I do use layers on occasion for certain things and might use a tool then, most often it would be a curve. Once you learn LrC it does a super job, the brush tool works great for local edits although on occasion I also use the Dodge and Burn tools in PS, they are nice because they only work on the tone you specify whereas LrC works on every tone you brush over. Different tool, different uses. It's all about the end game for me.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Absolutely on high quality, I only shoot in RAW and doing a lot of processing on a JPEG would most likely not turn out very well nor would I use a processing application to "fix" an image that should not be "fixed." And, I toss anything blurred no matter how much I might have wanted that shot. I do, however, keep some images that might be a tad soft and will use PS on those to see how it might work out. Sometimes it's hard to get focus directly on an eye of an animal...they just don't cooperate!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I have always wanted to ask a pro this question, please don't take offence. Do you ever shoot just for your own pleasure and keep things you would never release in a secret file somewhere?

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

First of all, thanks for referring to me as a "pro," you are too kind. I always shoot just for my own pleasure as I love nature and wild animals. While I do put work in a gallery I would never consider myself a pro. And, yes, I do keep images, as I think we all do, that I simply like but would not show to anyone other than a close friend.