11 replies to this topic

[canon eos]

I've shot quite a few RWBBs but in editing this I noted the fine detail, especially in the tail feathers. It made me reflect on my years of shooting film, both negatives and transparencies, and never being able to get this kind of detail with black or very dark birds and animals.

I don't use Photoshop/CS as I find it overly complex and not intuitive; heck it was designed as a graphics editor! The EXIF will indicate Photoshop Elements, but that is just to get to my NIK plug-in software.

When I post images here I wonder how they appear to others. I use a calibrated IPS monitor, but that is only really 'calibrated' to my own workflow.



IMG_7029- by canuckguyinadarkroom, on Flickr



Thanks for any input and/or comments.

[meghann]

I have found the same thing with dark birds. I have tons of pics of male purple martins, that I know are in focus, but you can't decipher a dang thing.

I do love the detail you got in the tail in this one, although I will comment the background looks like it has a red wash on my monitor. If that was done on purpose, though, then carry on.(I tend to edit my own photos on the warmer side, as a personal preference.)

[canon eos]

Thanks Meghann. I just now did some before/after comparisons. This actually is edited very little; it's amazingly detailed in the original RAW file. I didn't (intentionally!) do anything to get the reddish shift, but I darkened the BG and that brought out the subtle red hues more.

[BigSkyKen]

I agree, the detail is very good and RWBBs can be tough! Previously, black coloring on birds presented a lot of challenges for detail, but since changing to spot (normally) or center-weighted metering, the detail is generally captured, or easier to recover in Lightroom. Now reds and yellows tend to give me fits! Regarding your image, the only thing that seems a little out of kilter is a blueish hue on the black feathers - if it was an overcast day, this might be the reality of the shot, otherwise it might be a color balance decision.

[JimBob]

Amazing photo!!!!

[MrPC]

Nice photo, but reds seem very oversaturated to me.

[rogerVA]

I love it, great shot.

[LauraC]

I think the detail of the bird is terrific but I am always told in competitions if you can't see the bird's eye, don't submit it. Easier said than done when the bird has a black head and black eyes. My problem is usually chickadees and crows.

[thekiwi]

It is tuff to get either the blacks or whites to show in great detail and can really get hard when you have both colors with the same bird.
I like the detail you have in the RWB they are hard to get right at any time nice shot.

[canon eos]

I think the detail of the bird is terrific but I am always told in competitions if you can't see the bird's eye, don't submit it. Easier said than done when the bird has a black head and black eyes. My problem is usually chickadees and crows.

Yes, I agree re the eye contact and would judge this lower as well!
Laura, I also use NIK's tonal contrast filter to help bring out the detail. When I first started using TCF I wasn't impressed, but with a little work found it can be very helpful.

[canon eos]

It is tuff to get either the blacks or whites to show in great detail and can really get hard when you have both colors with the same bird.
I like the detail you have in the RWB they are hard to get right at any time nice shot.

Thank you. I appreciate any input.

[LauraC]

Yes, I agree re the eye contact and would judge this lower as well!
Laura, I also use NIK's tonal contrast filter to help bring out the detail. When I first started using TCF I wasn't impressed, but with a little work found it can be very helpful.

I use it, as well but while it helps me for feather detail it doesn't seem to help with black eyes on a black head.