Why do I process an image like this? Sometimes I look at an image that I have taken and have to make a decision whether or not to spend time processing it. Occasionally I decide to...

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Sometimes I look at an image that I have taken and have to make a decision whether or not to spend time processing it. Occasionally I decide to process it because it pleases me-what I consider a nice image. Other times I process it because it is a unique bird. Bottom line is if it evokes a memory or emotion for me it is worth the time. This is one of those images. A Long-wattled Umbrellabird seen in Ecuador. I will probably never see one of these birds again so I decided to put some time in and process it. Cannot make a "silk purse out of a sow's ear" so it will never be a Nat Geo image. In the past I have spent too much time on images like this.

Converted from RAW in DXO Pure Raw, processed in ACR (bird up, BG down), WB set, brought to PSCC and some wire holding grapes cloned out, and some bright areas brought down. Finished in DeNoise AI.
Shot with a Canon R5, 600 mm lens at f/4.0, SS 1/80, ISO 6400, EC of 0.3.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A few additional ideas, since you have the image open for edit:

1, Change the aspect ratio so more of that blank space above the head is removed.

2, Change the aspect ratio to square and / or landscape, making a 'headshot' of the bird from just above the feet to just above the head.

3, Change the crop and / or aspect ratio and skip the grapes entirely, placing the bottom margin through the perch and removing the grapes distraction from the bird entirely.

FrumCA

CHG_CANON wrote:

A few additional ideas, since you have the image open for edit:

1, Change the aspect ratio so more of that blank space above the head is removed.

2, Change the aspect ratio to square and / or landscape, making a 'headshot' of the bird from just above the feet to just above the head.

3, Change the crop and / or aspect ratio and skip the grapes entirely, placing the bottom margin through the perch and removing the grapes distraction from the bird entirely.

I agree with CHG CANON'S suggestions and would add that you consider lightening the breast/belly area a bit by removing some shadow.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Except for cropping some off the top of the image, currently, I see nothing "wrong" with this image .....and as a quite elusive bird, fully worthy of PPing.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

imagemeister wrote:

Except for cropping some off the top of the image, currently, I see nothing "wrong" with this image .....and as a quite elusive bird, fully worthy of PPing.

Ditto.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I wouldn't crop anything further. I like it like it is.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

CHG_CANON wrote:

A few additional ideas, since you have the image open for edit:

1, Change the aspect ratio so more of that blank space above the head is removed.

2, Change the aspect ratio to square and / or landscape, making a 'headshot' of the bird from just above the feet to just above the head.

3, Change the crop and / or aspect ratio and skip the grapes entirely, placing the bottom margin through the perch and removing the grapes distraction from the bird entirely.

Always a dilemma. I tend to be a "tight" crop guy, but my wife gives me a hard time about that so I try to leave a little more room if possible. This was shot with a 600mm-way too much lens for as close as this bird was (maybe 18-20') and the size of the bird (about pigeon sized). That limited my choices as I had to shoot this in portrait mode.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

FrumCA wrote:

I agree with CHG CANON'S suggestions and would add that you consider lightening the breast/belly area a bit by removing some shadow.

Thank you. The area you mentioned has already been brought up considerably in ACR-about 2/3 to 1 full stop. Any more and it starts to look gray rather than the blue-black it actually is. This was shot in a very dark environment with the sun coming up behind the bird.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

imagemeister wrote:

Except for cropping some off the top of the image, currently, I see nothing "wrong" with this image .....and as a quite elusive bird, fully worthy of PPing.

Thank you. I am interested in other's view of why they either choose to process or not any given image.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

kpmac wrote:

I wouldn't crop anything further. I like it like it is.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

bajadreamer wrote:

Always a dilemma. I tend to be a "tight" crop guy, but my wife gives me a hard time about that so I try to leave a little more room if possible. This was shot with a 600mm-way too much lens for as close as this bird was (maybe 18-20') and the size of the bird (about pigeon sized). That limited my choices as I had to shoot this in portrait mode.

You threw the image onto 45MP, that's why you now have lots of cropping options.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

CHG_CANON wrote:

You threw the image onto 45MP, that's why you now have lots of cropping options.

You are correct-plenty of MPs, just not enough room.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

A shot of something as rare as this is worth your time to get the memory nailed down.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

bajadreamer wrote:

Sometimes I look at an image that I have taken and... (show quote)

Is that a Bobby Rydell bird? Perfectly coiffed
👍👍👍👍👍

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

UTMike wrote:

A shot of something as rare as this is worth your time to get the memory nailed down.

Thank you. I thought so too.