Chukar: This is my first attempt at removing an item from a photo. I am using CS6 and learning the hard way (clicking on a tool, trying it and deciding if it did what I wanted).

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

This is my first attempt at removing an item from a photo. I am using CS6 and learning the hard way (clicking on a tool, trying it and deciding if it did what I wanted). Anyway, would love to have feedback on this attempt and I am also very open to any other honest and constructive critique you can give me on the photo overall.

I feel the photo is underexposed but I was fighting the white in the photo and a cloudy day as well, and you know how it is with animals, they will not sit and pose for you while you figure out all of your settings :-)

I was shooting a Nikon D7000 with my AF-S 80-400MM attached. The exif data is shown below as well.

I shoot mainly in JPEG format and I need to start shooting in RAW (A lesson I continue to learn the hard way). I know this would allow me a ton more editing capabilities in PP.

Thanks in advance for the feedback

Exif Data

Original

(Download)

Removed the vegetation

(Download)

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

I think you did an excellent job of removal. I does help draw attention to the bird as it should. I would be tempted to possible crop a little more. I might consider retaining some of the stone on the left to help frame the subject but remove some of the out of focus portion. But then, would that cropping move the bird to much into the center of the image? I don't know. That's why it's probably best to ignore my suggestion. But, I still think it's a good job of removing the foliage. So don't ignore that comment.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

kvanhook wrote:

I think you did an excellent job of removal. I do... (show quote)

Thank you very much. I won't ignore any portion of your comment. You had me laughing out lout as I followed along with your thoughts :-)

PapaMike Loc: Riverside, California

A great job of removing the distraction.. well done!

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

PapaMike wrote:

A great job of removing the distraction.. well done!

Thanks PapaMike, I appreciate the comments.

KlausK Loc: Brewster, NY

kvanhook wrote:

I think you did an excellent job of removal. I do... (show quote)

I agree. A tighter crop would help and may be some lightening up and - if you really want to get adventurous - a catchlight in the eye.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

KlausK wrote:

I agree. A tighter crop would help and may be some lightening up and - if you really want to get adventurous - a catchlight in the eye.

Something like this?

Please feel free to add a catchlight and maybe help a guy understand how to do so :-)

In fact, please feel free to modify and repost how you might approach it on any aspect of the image. Always wanting to get different perspectives so I can continue to learn what makes a great image.

Thanks

(Download)

KlausK Loc: Brewster, NY

You might also want to try with a flash (not that tiny little flip-up on the camera, but a real one) to get some light into the bird's eye. The really experienced Photoshop guys could easily replicate that. I didn't. This is just my idea of how to crop and expose.

(Download)

KlausK Loc: Brewster, NY

Just another example ...

(Download)

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

KlausK wrote:

You might also want to try with a flash (not that tiny little flip-up on the camera, but a real one) to get some light into the bird's eye. The really experienced Photoshop guys could easily replicate that. I didn't. This is just my idea of how to crop and expose.

I like it better than mine. Guess I need to crop more on the subject, especially when there's not much else in the photo to show. Thanks

KlausK Loc: Brewster, NY

I believe that the first thing you should think about (when taking a photograph) is : What's your subject and what's the story?

There are many more things to contemplate (nothing about the 'right gear') ... and here's some quotes as examples:

http://photofocus.com/2011/05/12/my-20-favorite-photography-quotes/

(I personally like #11 - That's my kinda lazy!)

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

KlausK wrote:

I believe that the first thing you should think about (when taking a photograph) is : What's your subject and what's the story?

There are many more things to contemplate (nothing about the 'right gear') ... and here's some quotes as examples:

http://photofocus.com/2011/05/12/my-20-favorite-photography-quotes/

(I personally like #11 - That's my kinda lazy!)

Those are great! Thanks Klausk

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

The image is very nice. I liked what you did with the vegetation. Never would have known it was there.

I am really enjoying my 80-400 as well. There was a wildlife photographer who did a short review on the new 80-400mm and remarked how he thought there will be more used 200-400 lenses available when photographers migrate to the new lens. For field work, I find it so much easier to use. Great shot. Hope to see more.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

Bozsik wrote:

The image is very nice. I liked what you did with the vegetation. Never would have known it was there.

I am really enjoying my 80-400 as well. There was a wildlife photographer who did a short review on the new 80-400mm and remarked how he thought there will be more used 200-400 lenses available when photographers migrate to the new lens. For field work, I find it so much easier to use. Great shot. Hope to see more.

Thanks for the kind remarks! I am really enjoying mine. Still learning how to use it to it's fullest potential but when the stars align I get some pretty good shots with it. I can totally see that happening as well. I have never used the 200-400 but the comparisons I have seen show that the 80-400 performs right up there with it. Tough to beat the lighter lens with same quality and greater zoom!

How do you like your 2 wide angle lenses (Sigma and Nikon)? I am thinking I want one for Landscapes but have a hard time deciding.

Have a great day!

erbiv Loc: Ellijay, GA ...retired from Anchorage, AK

I have little to add but will reinforce what you said in your original post ...shoot raw, you will have more information to use in pp. Also, if you are struggling with Photoshop, try the trial download of Adobe Lightroom. I think you will find it much easier to use and it will do just about everything you would normally wish possible in pp. You might still have to go to Photoshop occasionally, but Lightroom will get you where you want to go most of the time.