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Flying Mockingbird - how can I make this better?
May 15, 2022 11:08:37   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
I was happy with the capture, but it wasn’t as sharp as I’d like. F 2.8, 1/2500, ISO 1600. Cropped to about 20% of the original frame.

I’m using the newest OM System OM-1 with its newest 12-40mm lens. I processed it in Photoshop CS3 and RawTharapee, but the best enhancement to sharpen the image was in Lightroom Mobile on my iPhone before posting.

I’m pretty happy with the results, but feel there’s something that could make it better. I’d like to hear your suggestions including for PC software for a midrange i5 desktop with 8gb RAM.

For this post, feel free to edit my picture when sharing your thoughts.



(Download)

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May 16, 2022 08:08:44   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 
Software alternatives that may help are Topaz Sharpen AI and DxO Pure Raw. Both are available as free trials so you can try them out for free.

Hope one of both work for you.

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May 16, 2022 08:45:45   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
Craigdca wrote:
I was happy with the capture, but it wasn’t as sharp as I’d like. F 2.8, 1/2500, ISO 1600. Cropped to about 20% of the original frame.

I’m using the newest OM System OM-1 with its newest 12-40mm lens. I processed it in Photoshop CS3 and RawTharapee, but the best enhancement to sharpen the image was in Lightroom Mobile on my iPhone before posting.

I’m pretty happy with the results, but feel there’s something that could make it better. I’d like to hear your suggestions including for PC software for a midrange i5 desktop with 8gb RAM.

For this post, feel free to edit my picture when sharing your thoughts.

I was happy with the capture, but it wasn’t as sha... (show quote)


I would use a much faster shutter speed and use a much higher resolution (file size) to allow for a tighter crop.
These are the two things that jump out at me. I'm sure that others will provide you with good info as well.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

PS: Attached is my take on your pic.
IMHO shutter speed is definitely an issue.


(Download)

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May 16, 2022 09:33:02   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
yssirk123 wrote:
Software alternatives that may help are Topaz Sharpen AI and DxO Pure Raw. Both are available as free trials so you can try them out for free.

Hope one of both work for you.


Thanks, Bill. I’ll try both trials. I’ve tried Topaz AI Sharpen for my old Canon but not for my new Olympus yet. DxO would be a new one one for me.

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May 16, 2022 09:37:38   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
Jimmy T wrote:
I would use a much faster shutter speed and use a much higher resolution (file size) to allow for a tighter crop.
These are the two things that jump out at me. I'm sure that others will provide you with good info as well.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

PS: Attached is my take on your pic.
IMHO shutter speed is definitely an issue.


Thanks, Jimmy. He was definitely moving fast. I was at 1/2500sec and can bump it a lot now that I have a new camera. Pixels would also be better. I only have the 24-80equiv lens and planning for the 80-300equiv zoom next.

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May 16, 2022 10:17:27   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
Craigdca wrote:
Thanks, Jimmy. He was definitely moving fast. I was at 1/2500sec and can bump it a lot now that I have a new camera. Pixels would also be better. I only have the 24-80equiv lens and planning for the 80-300equiv zoom next.


He must have been really moving. 1/2500 sec. should have stopped him.
Just goes to show what I (don't) know.
I made the comment about the size of the file because the file I downloaded seemed very small.
Good luck with that new camera and please post some more pics with it.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

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May 16, 2022 11:33:48   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 
Craigdca wrote:
Thanks, Bill. I’ll try both trials. I’ve tried Topaz AI Sharpen for my old Canon but not for my new Olympus yet. DxO would be a new one one for me.


I have and use both - PureRaw is a standalone pre-filter that will let is plucked directly from DxO's Optics Pro Editing Suite, and will give you a DNG file format that can be read like a RAW file by your editor, and Denoise AI Sharpen works as a plugin and also as a standalone.

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May 16, 2022 15:31:57   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
A standard zoom is going to leave you shooting wide for that type of subject most of the time. Combine that with a camera that has 20MP and you're going to frequently be feeling the limitations of your setup. More zoom and/or more resolution is the direction that most bird shooters would head in. More zoom is the cheaper option.

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May 16, 2022 19:40:14   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
R.G. wrote:
A standard zoom is going to leave you shooting wide for that type of subject most of the time. Combine that with a camera that has 20MP and you're going to frequently be feeling the limitations of your setup. More zoom and/or more resolution is the direction that most bird shooters would head in. More zoom is the cheaper option.


Thanks for confirming my approach. Olympus 40-150 pro 2.8, and the 2x teleconverter. Their new 40-150 is sadly not 2.8 and would be way too slow with the 2x.

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May 16, 2022 20:07:05   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
Better after Topaz Sharpen with subject detection and Lightroom sharpening.


(Download)

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May 17, 2022 00:29:01   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
The plumage looks much more believable. The background where the bird is and above could be smoothened.

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May 19, 2022 07:51:50   #
Hip Coyote
 
I concur with what others said. I see that you used the 12-40 lens which is quite short for BIF...probably a chance encounter and you have to go with what you have. The image size is quite small leaving me to believe that there is quite a bit of cropping going on. If this were an image that you want to work on consider up-sizing the raw file using up to date LR's enhance feature then doing editing. We m43 shooters have less ability to crop than the ff shooters, so there are limitations to what we can do.

In this case, even with all the editing, what you are left with is a bird with a grass background against what appears to be a house foundation or block wall. It is a fun editing exercise, but IMO, the pic would not be one I would display or enter into a contest because it is the backside of the bird not in nature or an interesting environment. I tried a few edits and could not do any better than our colleagues above. In my limited understanding of bird photography, the image has to be razor sharp or intentionally and artistically blurry to be in the money.

I see that you are considering the 40-150 Pro lens. I do not have that...have the Pany 100-400 before the Oly 100-400 came out. I would be the 40-150 is razor sharp, as are all pro lenses, but the range is a bit limited for my amateur needs. The 12-100 pro lives on my Omd Em1m3.

I am jealous of your camera and you living in Pasadena (a great town with Samy's close by.) And am seeing more and more people on uhh using Oly. Maybe we Oly shooters (evil geniuses) will take over the camera world after all.

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May 19, 2022 16:47:26   #
Craigdca Loc: California
 
Hip Coyote wrote:
I concur with what others said. I see that you used the 12-40 lens which is quite short for BIF...probably a chance encounter and you have to go with what you have. The image size is quite small leaving me to believe that there is quite a bit of cropping going on. If this were an image that you want to work on consider up-sizing the raw file using up to date LR's enhance feature then doing editing. We m43 shooters have less ability to crop than the ff shooters, so there are limitations to what we can do.

In this case, even with all the editing, what you are left with is a bird with a grass background against what appears to be a house foundation or block wall. It is a fun editing exercise, but IMO, the pic would not be one I would display or enter into a contest because it is the backside of the bird not in nature or an interesting environment. I tried a few edits and could not do any better than our colleagues above. In my limited understanding of bird photography, the image has to be razor sharp or intentionally and artistically blurry to be in the money.

I see that you are considering the 40-150 Pro lens. I do not have that...have the Pany 100-400 before the Oly 100-400 came out. I would be the 40-150 is razor sharp, as are all pro lenses, but the range is a bit limited for my amateur needs. The 12-100 pro lives on my Omd Em1m3.

I am jealous of your camera and you living in Pasadena (a great town with Samy's close by.) And am seeing more and more people on uhh using Oly. Maybe we Oly shooters (evil geniuses) will take over the camera world after all.
I concur with what others said. I see that you us... (show quote)


Thanks for your great comments. It’s definitely not a contest shot but still fun, and almost good enough but not quite. I’ve learned a lot from everyone and enjoyed the experience. Pasadena is a great town and I’m looking forward to my first visit to Samy’s to sell my old Canon t2i and all the lenses. I may buy my next OMS or Oly lens there also.

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