Shots out of interest
Heron + male mallards
Posted by Markus (Reading, United Kingdom) on 16 October 2007 in Animal & Insect.
Caught @18:18 with a thick cloud cover just 3 days ago... any tips for getting it a little bit brighter?
Janice Thomson from Courtenay BC, Canada
Herons are my favorite birds; there is something timeless in their stance. I adore this photo Markus. Love the lighting effect on the mallard.
16 Oct 2007 3:55pm
@Janice Thomson: Thank you very much, Janice, for this very flattering comment!
@Wolfgang Prigge: Dankeschön, Wolfgang!
raj from karad, India
keep it as it is plz dont add any more light to it its jst great his way
16 Oct 2007 4:28pm
@raj: Thank you, raj, for your very kind words, I'm very glad you like it!
Lost Valley View from Kamloops, Canada
I agree with Raj I like the mood of this photo!!!
16 Oct 2007 4:29pm
@Lost Valley View: You are most welcome LVV, many thanks!
amy from Rocky Mountain House, AB, Canada
I do agree with the others to a point... It does need just a titch more light. Did you try to change the curves? Do you use PS? If you do, and don't know where the curves are you can go to Image>Adjustments>Curves or just use the curves layer on the bottom of your layers palette. Try that. You should be able to gain a bit more light and still preserve the magic of this image.
16 Oct 2007 4:43pm
@amy: Hi amy, thank you! I will try that before my license runs out. Would you recommend automatic or manual adjustment?
Illuci from Netherlands
I use always Microsoft Picture Manager (unlimited license, belongs to standard Windows package), I tried to apply it on your picture, one simply needs to move the "middle tones" slide a little to the right. But as raj says, the picture as it is, has something mysterious by its darkness. Making it brighter gives too much an "everyday" impression.
16 Oct 2007 8:30pm
@Illuci: Goedenavond Erik, hartelijk dank voor het commentaar! Ik heb het geprobeerd, het schijnt mij minder mysterieuze als tevoren (voordien?). De donkere gevalt mij toch beter.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
A great capture Markus!
I can't seem to be able to take a decent picture of a Heron, mine always come out too light! what ever I do! so very well done to you :)
16 Oct 2007 8:36pm
@MaryB: Cordial thanks, Mary! There will be a time + day, + you will get the perfect one!
@Craiger: Thank you for the compliment, Craiger!
@Candace: Thank you, Candace!
amy from Rocky Mountain House, AB, Canada
Hey Markus, I'd go with the manual as then you have better control and can adjust it to your eye not what the computer is telling... it's not always right. Hope this all helps.
16 Oct 2007 9:11pm
@amy: Many thanks, amy! Will try it... have just to find the right monitor, had a look at it as it is at a few of my friends monitors, all different!!
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
I must say I like it the way it is too! But I definitely take my hat off to Amy and Illuci, far more skilled friends here who are able to give such truly enlightening tips! Bravo to all of you dear ones! I don't think I'll be getting a heron shot anywhere close to this in a long long time!! :)
16 Oct 2007 10:07pm
@Rebecca: Thank you for your support, Rebecca!
Bron from Canberra, Australia
Such a wonderful heron Markus - interesting discussion about the light too - this looks just as you'd see it I think - well done!
16 Oct 2007 10:11pm
@Bron: Thank you very much for your encouragement, Bron, very kind of you!
@Stunner: Hi Stunner, thank you very much!
Pouhou from Apeldoorn, Netherlands
a dramatic one
you right need a little bit of light
16 Oct 2007 11:16pm
@Pouhou: Hartelijk bedankt! Just need a calibrated monitor...
@HorseRotorVator: Thank you, HRV!
bronzebilly u.k. from Barry,Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom
hey Markus--how goes it pal??
this shot 's got a nice atmosphere,so I wouldn't do much to it myself
However have you tried Photofiltre?a cute little free program from www.photofiltre.com --I use it for most tasks--contrast/colourising/cropping etc. before I do my manipulations--give it a bash pal..
best of luck--billy
17 Oct 2007 12:43am
@bronzebilly u.k.: Hi billy! I'm fine, thanks for asking! Never heard of it before, I will give it a go. Many thanks!
Mandy from South Africa
Very cool MArkus...I like the lighting, makes you really have to look to see what else you'll find in there! :)
17 Oct 2007 6:54am
@Mandy: Dear Mandy, cordial thanks! I'm happy to see you enjoy it!
Michael from Wuppertal, Germany
Schönes Bild trotz wenig Licht. Ich mache bei solchen schlechten Lichtverhältnissen fast immer eine Belichtungsreihe. Nicht um unbedingt ein HDR raus zu machen, aber im nachhinein kann man schon mal was retten.
17 Oct 2007 5:01pm
@Michael: Dankeschön! Jetzt muss ich nur noch wissen wie man das richtig macht. Einfach nur die Blende verändern oder mehr oder weniger Belichtungszeit? Oder beides?
Lucca from Cologne, Germany
I like how the heron stares at you. Concerning your question about light. Did you try to change the curve a bit?
17 Oct 2007 9:09pm
@Lucca: Hi Lucca, dankeschön! Hab' ich gemacht, aber irgendwie schaut's komisch aus. Muß wohl am Monitor liegen...
@Carson: Cheers!
Canon EOS 400D
1/25 second
F/5.6
ISO 1600
300 mm