bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

On the recent SDAS Birding Photo Club walk at Whelan Lake in Oceanside CA, I arrived early (about 30' before sunrise) and set up my camera behind a camo screen on a tripod about 6" above water level. My goal was to capture both Eared Grebes and/or Ruddy Ducks in mating plumage up close at water level. I accomplished neither, but did get some images of another bird, a Pied-billed Grebe. Certainly a common bird, but one that often is very accomodating for a photographer. These two images are of different individuals, but were taken from the same spot about 30' apart. What a difference the light makes. Both of these images have been cropped heavily, about 50%. In processing the first one, I selectively brought up the exposure on the bird and down on the background. I also brought the Dehaze slider down on the background to increase the haziness. On the second image, I processed it very little.
Both images were taken with a Canon R5, 600 f/4.0 lens. The first at SS 1/1250, ISO 4000, f/4.0, EC 0. The second was taken at SS 1/2000, f/4.0, ISO 1250, EC +0.3. Both shots were taken using the LCD back screen to compose and focus (my days of laying on the ground to look through the view finder for these shots are gone).

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Yep. It certainly can make the difference between an average picture and an outstanding image. Nice job.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Beauties!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent work!

rrozema Loc: Sacramento, California

Very well done

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Funny how that works Sometimes the light is no help at all - and sometimes it helps us take sublime shots 🤔🤔🤔🤔

taffspride Loc: Originally Wales, now the Sunshine State

Oh! these photos are beautiful, both keepers. I particularly like the first shot. It has such a dreamy, serene quality. Lighting makes such a difference. Nicely cropped and post processed, well done

Iechyd da

Ann

CCPhotoist Loc: Cape Cod

I really like that second one.

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY