Does this picture need a tweek?
Feb 23, 2012 13:48:43 #
I shot this Blue Heron yesterday in Corscrew Swamp and I thought maybe I could make the bird just stand out.
I tried darking then bringing up the highlights.
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
What do you think?
I tried darking then bringing up the highlights.
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
What do you think?
Feb 23, 2012 13:51:32 #
Wow..thats tough...that's such a busy background...the good news is the color of the heron..it stands out from the green/beige of the back ground.
You could do it easy in PSE or LR...want me to show you?
You could do it easy in PSE or LR...want me to show you?
Feb 23, 2012 15:11:23 #
Feb 23, 2012 15:15:06 #
My first thought is not about post processing---but rather about shooting. Everything in the photos looks to be pretty much in focus. So the question is---what lens and what f-stop did you use. Dropping the f-stop to 4 or less would do wonders for that background. (by that I mean blurring it) I prefer to with to fix the problem with the camera and not with the computer.
However, that is a tough shot---the bird is pretty close to the background which is really busy.
In this case maybe try brightening the photo and using the color of the bird to advantage.
Keep shooting. . .
Larry
However, that is a tough shot---the bird is pretty close to the background which is really busy.
In this case maybe try brightening the photo and using the color of the bird to advantage.
Keep shooting. . .
Larry
Feb 23, 2012 15:33:27 #
Well...here goes.
I darkened the area around the bird; I hope I wasn't to heavy handed.
I sharpened him somewhat also.
It 's just an example....
I darkened the area around the bird; I hope I wasn't to heavy handed.
I sharpened him somewhat also.
It 's just an example....
Feb 23, 2012 15:35:12 #
I think 99.9% of all my pictures need a little contrast.. it helps any pic... However, this is spot on.. GREAT job!
Feb 23, 2012 16:23:31 #
Old Tom wrote:
I
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
.What do you think?
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
.What do you think?
I would loosely select the heron, invert the selection, blur the background out of focus then darken it slightly at the edges. Deselect and soften any areas between the bird and background missed.
Feb 23, 2012 16:55:36 #
Sadly the focus is off kilter. Trying anything will kill the few details that exist on the feathers.
Be aware that if you are using auto focus, the camera will not focus on dark subjects but on the brightest thing in front or behind, in that order.
Be aware that if you are using auto focus, the camera will not focus on dark subjects but on the brightest thing in front or behind, in that order.
1:1 Focus is on the detail behind the heron.
Feb 23, 2012 21:29:01 #
I did not know that about colors and auto focus. I will keep that in mind when shooting.
Feb 23, 2012 21:47:42 #
Old Tom wrote:
After reading your camera manual... I did not know that about colors and auto focus. I will keep that in mind when shooting.
What you can do (on auto focus)
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Compose your picture
Move the spot meter indicator to the bird using the wheel/disk like on the back of your camera
Otherwise:
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Place the focus/metering point on the bird
Half depress the shutter release (and keep it that way)
Compose
Depress the shutter release all the way.
Feb 23, 2012 21:54:52 #
English_Wolf wrote:
What you can do (on auto focus)
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Compose your picture
Move the spot meter indicator to the bird using the wheel/disk like on the back of your camera
Otherwise:
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Place the focus/metering point on the bird
Half depress the shutter release (and keip it that way)
Compose
Depress the shutter release all the way.
What you can do (on auto focus)
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Compose your picture
Move the spot meter indicator to the bird using the wheel/disk like on the back of your camera
Otherwise:
Set the camera to spot focus/metering
Place the focus/metering point on the bird
Half depress the shutter release (and keip it that way)
Compose
Depress the shutter release all the way.
Just an addition to the above that may help, aim for the bird's head, or eye if you get to zoom in that close. 8-)
Feb 23, 2012 23:24:15 #
JBD
Loc: SF. Bay Area
Old Tom wrote:
I shot this Blue Heron yesterday in Corscrew Swamp and I thought maybe I could make the bird just stand out.
I tried darking then bringing up the highlights.
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
What do you think?
I tried darking then bringing up the highlights.
Then I wondered is this photo good to go as is?
What do you think?
I think by defocusing and darkening the background while brightening and sharpening the Heron you could get a stylized shot. I attached my attempt at doing this.
Feb 24, 2012 04:09:28 #
Bmac wrote:
Just an addition to the above that may help, aim for the bird's head, or eye if you get to zoom in that close. 8-)
Just an addition to the above that may help, aim for the bird's head, or eye if you get to zoom in that close. 8-)
Just to elaborate on what Bmac said...as long as the bird's eye is in focus...we will see the picture as acceptable in our mind...we accept an out of focus bird as long as the eye is "tack sharp" so always aim that single focus point at the eye if you can.
Feb 24, 2012 05:26:22 #
Feb 24, 2012 06:19:38 #
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