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Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 04:35 PM
Had a photo shoot with my local camera club at Gatorland in Orlando. Three hours of shooting, lunch and 747 photos later and I am bushed.

This was the second photo of the morning.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1643/24912240661_4c501d2ed0.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DXpKdH)DSC_5626 (https://flic.kr/p/DXpKdH)

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 04:47 PM
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1527/24912479911_99d4102779.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DXqYkH)DSC_5633 (https://flic.kr/p/DXqYkH)

Discus-n00b
02-13-2016, 04:56 PM
Those look great Pat! Love Gatorland! It's like a little hidden gem outside of Disney.

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 05:09 PM
Those look great Pat! Love Gatorland! It's like a little hidden gem outside of Disney.

Thanks Matt, I am quickly discovering that a white bird needs a great background to set it off properly. Agree that it is a little hidden gem. :D
Pat

brewmaster15
02-13-2016, 05:15 PM
Pat,
I've never been to gatorland... Very nice shots. Tough catching the wings outspread like that.

al

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 05:30 PM
There is a lot of chasing, fighting and courting going on.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1654/24888326442_83374e4bba.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DVibmA)DSC_5670 (https://flic.kr/p/DVibmA) [/url]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1533/24379647203_f5a563c8ae.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_5793 (https://flic.kr/p/D9m4JT) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 05:32 PM
Pat,
I've never been to gatorland... Very nice shots. Tough catching the wings outspread like that.

al

I will take you Al :D I took a ton of birds in flight but most of them are bust :(
Pat

brewmaster15
02-13-2016, 05:37 PM
There is a lot of chasing, fighting and courting going on.


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1533/24379647203_f5a563c8ae.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/D9m4JT)DSC_5793 (https://flic.kr/p/D9m4JT)


,That is an awesome shot...one to be printed up and cherished.

al

rickztahone
02-13-2016, 05:41 PM
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1527/24912479911_99d4102779.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DXqYkH)DSC_5633 (https://flic.kr/p/DXqYkH)
This is a very cool shot

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 05:44 PM
,That is an awesome shot...one to be printed up and cherished.

al

Aw Thanks Al :o

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 05:44 PM
This is a very cool shot

Thanks Ricardo :D

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 06:03 PM
Chilling

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1597/24639374489_1bc8dcf468.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DxieBx)DSC_5967 (https://flic.kr/p/DxieBx)

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 06:10 PM
Evil Intent

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1451/24913819971_968a048e32.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DXxQGc)DSC_6048 (https://flic.kr/p/DXxQGc)

Kirbs
02-13-2016, 09:53 PM
Beautiful pictures Pat! I like that last one!

SMB2
02-13-2016, 11:07 PM
Great shots Pat. Love the display shot.

On a sunny morning in Fla. a white bird is SS1/1250, f8, ISO 200 regardless of the background! Somebody told me that once and it works give or take a bit. Try it sometime, or any up or down combination! The sky might be blown out or the green trees dark but the bird will be white.

Second Hand Pat
02-13-2016, 11:34 PM
Great shots Pat. Love the display shot.

On a sunny morning in Fla. a white bird is SS1/1250, f8, ISO 200 regardless of the background! Somebody told me that once and it works give or take a bit. Try it sometime, or any up or down combination! The sky might be blown out or the green trees dark but the bird will be white.

Thanks Stan, planning on going again before April. I want to give your settings a go.
Pat

Mustanggtandgsxr
02-14-2016, 01:10 AM
Very nice Pat!

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 09:15 AM
Beautiful pictures Pat! I like that last one!

I do too Kirby, entering that one in the local club's photo competition. :D



Very nice Pat!

Thanks Tony :)

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 09:19 AM
Laying is Hard Work
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1494/25011769215_b850818a01.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E7cRAg)DSC_6052 (https://flic.kr/p/E7cRAg) [/url]

Regal (ashame there is branch in the way)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1514/24919251321_65552da6d4.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6062 (https://flic.kr/p/DY2Ffa) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

rickztahone
02-14-2016, 12:49 PM
It shouldn't be difficult to edit that branch out. Want me to give it a go?

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 01:02 PM
It shouldn't be difficult to edit that branch out. Want me to give it a go?

Sure :D. I could see it being a tricky cloning job.
Pat

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 01:10 PM
Where's that fish
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1499/24919253421_50125b2146.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DY2FSn)DSC_6079 (https://flic.kr/p/DY2FSn) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)

Who me
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1585/24894524212_32dc899aee.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DVQWJG)DSC_6112 (https://flic.kr/p/DVQWJG)

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 01:11 PM
Dang Gator

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1638/24385716903_d107a3bc3a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/D9Tb3T)DSC_6149 (https://flic.kr/p/D9Tb3T)

SMB2
02-14-2016, 11:13 PM
Keep it up! Good stuff.

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 11:23 PM
Keep it up! Good stuff.

Here you go Stan

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/24717529410_a95dd0696b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DEcNmb)DSC_6249-2 (https://flic.kr/p/DEcNmb) [/url]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1715/24986721846_1a9cccee8a.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6290 (https://flic.kr/p/E4ZtT5) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

Second Hand Pat
02-14-2016, 11:27 PM
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1457/25013035445_9f6898a4b8.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E7jkZP)DSC_6301 (https://flic.kr/p/E7jkZP) [/url]

Weird crop of this one but loved the reflection in the water.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1663/24667790769_73fb1e6edc.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6360-2 (https://flic.kr/p/DzNSMp) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

SMB2
02-15-2016, 12:31 PM
Love the Umbrella Cockatoo. They have great personalities. Back in the day when I did parrot rescue I had three of these that were pretty neglected. All turned out to be great friendly outgoing birds.

Great reflection shot. To my eye the "double legs" are a little off-putting. Maybe try a crop that cuts off most of the top wood and grass, to cut off the real legs. That will also crop the bottom some. For fun you can also try flipping the shot!

In the two Egret shot, do you see how the flying bird is a little gray? That is what I was talking about getting a bird white. Your camera is exposing for the bright BG as well as the bird and so you get this middling gray. Like trying to get white snow (not something you think about! but we are getting another 6 inches today) you have to overexpose a bit to get the bird white. That will blow out the BG some. That is why in Fla it is important to photograph birds in the AM or PM as all tones will be more equal. Mid day is next to impossible. It is said that you can't get a good shot of a Bald Eagle on a bright day after 10 AM because the white head will always be blown out if the body of the bird is properly exposed.
Egrets have such a beautiful soft white definition in good light.

rickztahone
02-15-2016, 11:45 PM
Sure :D. I could see it being a tricky cloning job.
Pat
send me the raw file via dropbox ;)


Where's that fish
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1499/24919253421_50125b2146.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DY2FSn)DSC_6079 (https://flic.kr/p/DY2FSn) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)

Who me
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1585/24894524212_32dc899aee.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DVQWJG)DSC_6112 (https://flic.kr/p/DVQWJG)

The second bird shot here is right up my alley. I used to love getting super close shots like this with my 70-400 lens. I really miss the lens but only found myself using it seldomly and wanted someone else to enjoy it more frequently.

Second Hand Pat
02-16-2016, 04:50 PM
Love the Umbrella Cockatoo. They have great personalities. Back in the day when I did parrot rescue I had three of these that were pretty neglected. All turned out to be great friendly outgoing birds.

Great reflection shot. To my eye the "double legs" are a little off-putting. Maybe try a crop that cuts off most of the top wood and grass, to cut off the real legs. That will also crop the bottom some. For fun you can also try flipping the shot!

In the two Egret shot, do you see how the flying bird is a little gray? That is what I was talking about getting a bird white. Your camera is exposing for the bright BG as well as the bird and so you get this middling gray. Like trying to get white snow (not something you think about! but we are getting another 6 inches today) you have to overexpose a bit to get the bird white. That will blow out the BG some. That is why in Fla it is important to photograph birds in the AM or PM as all tones will be more equal. Mid day is next to impossible. It is said that you can't get a good shot of a Bald Eagle on a bright day after 10 AM because the white head will always be blown out if the body of the bird is properly exposed.
Egrets have such a beautiful soft white definition in good light.

Better Stan? Also would you mind posting a photo on how an egret should look. Also guessing you can't fix the gray in post.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1617/24446278093_ae60808395_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DfeyMk)DSC_6360-2 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/DfeyMk)

Second Hand Pat
02-16-2016, 05:05 PM
send me the raw file via dropbox ;)

Done :D

rickztahone
02-16-2016, 06:35 PM
Done :D

got it and will work it later on PS

Jack L
02-16-2016, 10:07 PM
Some great shots!

Second Hand Pat
02-16-2016, 10:26 PM
Some great shots!

Thanks Jack :)

rickztahone
02-16-2016, 11:33 PM
Laying is Hard Work
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1494/25011769215_b850818a01.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E7cRAg)DSC_6052 (https://flic.kr/p/E7cRAg) [/url]

Regal (ashame there is branch in the way)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1514/24919251321_65552da6d4.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6062 (https://flic.kr/p/DY2Ffa)

Here's what I came up with Pat. Not 100% happy with the clone job but the kiddos are getting restless ATM.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/E4TLMx]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1591/24985608041_14eb8341b0_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)For Pat (https://flic.kr/p/E4TLMx) by Rick Vasquez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138339753@N07/), on Flickr

Second Hand Pat
02-16-2016, 11:36 PM
Beautiful Ricardo and makes a huge difference in the photo. Thanks so much. I tried and kept ending up with a green smudge. You up for PS lessons? :D
Pat

SMB2
02-17-2016, 01:23 AM
Love the Flamingo shot with the new crop. That is a cool image.

So here is a white bird (Snowy Egret) in Fla, but earlier in the morning. I took several shots adding more light with each one, stopping when I got some "blinkies" on the bird. I also chose a BG that was a little distant and not in the sun as much so if need be it wouldn't be difficult to layer it a bit darker in post. I think when you work at the right time of day you are able to get better whites and more feather definition.
On your Egret you could try to brush the bird lightening the exposure and adding some clarity and contrast. Just don't over do it.

94682

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 10:50 AM
Thanks Stan, using your suggestions I took this (straight from the camera)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1536/24461253283_abe18865a5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Dgyjog)DSC_6204-2 (https://flic.kr/p/Dgyjog) [/url]

and did this.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1709/25088125605_3af0d963c9_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6204 (https://flic.kr/p/EdXcFK) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

Now to apply the same techniques to some of the other egret photos.

rickztahone
02-17-2016, 11:21 AM
Very nice Pat. That is better than any BIF shot I have personally ever taken

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 11:24 AM
Very nice Pat. That is better than any BIF shot I have personally ever taken

That only took 474 photos Ricardo and countless BIF across the set. I will admit I am quite happy with it. :D
Pat

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 11:44 AM
Redid this photo but still not happy with it.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1606/24721385369_38cfb5c6c6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DExyAe)DSC_6249-4 (https://flic.kr/p/DExyAe)

Akili
02-17-2016, 11:56 AM
Thanks for sharing. You take amazing pictures!!!

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 02:28 PM
Thanks for sharing. You take amazing pictures!!!

Thanks Akili, its a journey and a learning process for me. It's also starting to become a serious hobby for me. Really enjoying it.
Pat

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 03:32 PM
Took another stab at this one too.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/24724971199_3ff7c87029_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DERWwT)DSC_5793-3 (https://flic.kr/p/DERWwT)

SMB2
02-17-2016, 05:05 PM
Pat the BIF shot processed is great. There is some backlighting, and if the light was behind you and not so harsh would make the details even better. Nonetheless your image is tack sharp and that puts you ahead of 90% of the rest of the photographers!

If you look at the BIF processed image you can see a little halo around the bottom neck of the bird. This perhaps coming from a little too much contrast/sharpening. The display image above to my eye has a somewhat unnatural sheen to the neck and head again perhaps for the same reason. The diagonal composition and focus are spot on.
When we try to correct for under exposure in harsh light it gets difficult. What time of day were these taken.

This an afternoon shot that I still had to open up to get the bird white. The result is a blown out sky but the feather detail is OK. (Almost no processing on this.) This leaves you with a white on white image that not everybody likes but I look for these opportunities.

94704

Discus-n00b
02-17-2016, 05:39 PM
Took another stab at this one too.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/24724971199_3ff7c87029_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DERWwT)DSC_5793-3 (https://flic.kr/p/DERWwT)

In love with this one!!!

Man y'all are making me want to go birding. Never photographed birds before, anything serious anyway.

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 05:59 PM
In love with this one!!!

Man y'all are making me want to go birding. Never photographed birds before, anything serious anyway.

Matt, Al is in love with this one too. I think birds are challenging due to the feather details and lighting but what do I know. :p

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 06:03 PM
Pat the BIF shot processed is great. There is some backlighting, and if the light was behind you and not so harsh would make the details even better. Nonetheless your image is tack sharp and that puts you ahead of 90% of the rest of the photographers!

If you look at the BIF processed image you can see a little halo around the bottom neck of the bird. This perhaps coming from a little too much contrast/sharpening. The display image above to my eye has a somewhat unnatural sheen to the neck and head again perhaps for the same reason. The diagonal composition and focus are spot on.
When we try to correct for under exposure in harsh light it gets difficult. What time of day were these taken.

This an afternoon shot that I still had to open up to get the bird white. The result is a blown out sky but the feather detail is OK. (Almost no processing on this.) This leaves you with a white on white image that not everybody likes but I look for these opportunities.



Love that photo Stan. I do not mind the white on white. Sort of ended up with that on those osprey photos. Regarding the edge on the neck it was like that in the original. I will play with it a bit. That was a mid morning shot so the sun was between me and the bird.
Pat

SMB2
02-17-2016, 06:27 PM
I'm not trying to be hyper critical, but you have the tough stuff down. It is a matter of really fine tuning great shots.
Good lighting makes the difference. So positioning yourself can be key. I have not been to Gatorland but I expect like St Augustine you have limited options on a boardwalk. Just keep at it!

Discus-n00b
02-17-2016, 06:32 PM
I have not been to Gatorland but I expect like St Augustine you have limited options on a boardwalk. Just keep at it!

Pretty much. Gators on one side, bushes on the other. ;)

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 06:36 PM
Stan, tried to subdue the halo around the lower throat/neck area.

Before
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1709/25088125605_3af0d963c9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EdXcFK)DSC_6204 (https://flic.kr/p/EdXcFK) [/url]

After

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1583/25095317555_8707a6448b_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_6204-5 (https://flic.kr/p/EeA4AT) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

rickztahone
02-17-2016, 08:41 PM
Matt, you need a 500mm lens ;)

Pat, your post processing is coming along. One thing I like to do is edit a photo, come back to it a couple days later and see it with fresh eyes. If I like it still, I post it :)

Discus-n00b
02-17-2016, 09:13 PM
I know don't remind me, I don't want to look at the price again LOL. I'd need some sort of telephoto for sure, I don't have one of those in my bag yet. I just have more need/want for primes right now. I should be on the lookout for a refurb I guess.

rickztahone
02-17-2016, 10:06 PM
I know don't remind me, I don't want to look at the price again LOL. I'd need some sort of telephoto for sure, I don't have one of those in my bag yet. I just have more need/want for primes right now. I should be on the lookout for a refurb I guess.

Sorry Pat, don't mean to derail, but Matt, the Tamron 70-300 is a great lens that only costs about $300 and it is very good tele-photo lens to start with. I know I did before I went over to the 70-400 and it wasn't an absolute huge game changer considering the price of the two.

Second Hand Pat
02-17-2016, 10:07 PM
Matt, you need a 500mm lens ;)

Pat, your post processing is coming along. One thing I like to do is edit a photo, come back to it a couple days later and see it with fresh eyes. If I like it still, I post it :)

Thanks Ricardo and agree with letting it sit.
Pat

SMB2
02-17-2016, 11:40 PM
One thing I like to do is edit a photo, come back to it a couple days later and see it with fresh eyes. If I like it still, I post it

+++, maybe even a few weeks later. I love going over a soot from the past, because I may have learned an edit that I can apply.

Pat, I think that as good as you can do with a white bird in that setting. At a competition a judge will notice that sort of thing and say something like "great subject, great catch, wish the maker had gone earlier/stayed later".!

Matt I don't think you shoot Nikon, but if you do I have a great 200-400mm f4 VR II that I am selling in beautiful shape. I just don't use it enough compared to the 500mm.

rickztahone
02-17-2016, 11:47 PM
+++, maybe even a few weeks later. I love going over a soot from the past, because I may have learned an edit that I can apply.

Pat, I think that as good as you can do with a white bird in that setting. At a competition a judge will notice that sort of thing and say something like "great subject, great catch, wish the maker had gone earlier/stayed later".!

Matt I don't think you shoot Nikon, but if you do I have a great 200-400mm f4 VR II that I am selling in beautiful shape. I just don't use it enough compared to the 500mm.

He's a Canon man :drummer:

Second Hand Pat
02-18-2016, 12:25 AM
+++, maybe even a few weeks later. I love going over a soot from the past, because I may have learned an edit that I can apply.

Pat, I think that as good as you can do with a white bird in that setting. At a competition a judge will notice that sort of thing and say something like "great subject, great catch, wish the maker had gone earlier/stayed later".!

Matt I don't think you shoot Nikon, but if you do I have a great 200-400mm f4 VR II that I am selling in beautiful shape. I just don't use it enough compared to the 500mm.

If I am in doubt about an edit (or related things) I like to leave it and come back later. Agreed Stan on that photo. I am still very happy with it. I am now wanting to return to gatorland and try your suggestions. If you still have that lens six months from now we might be talking.

SMB2
02-18-2016, 08:52 AM
If we work out a day in St Augustine I can bring it with me and you can use it, but I may have sold it by then.

SMB2
02-18-2016, 08:54 AM
He's a Canon man

There is no accounting for some peoples taste!

Second Hand Pat
02-18-2016, 08:59 AM
If we work out a day in St Augustine I can bring it with me and you can use it, but I may have sold it by then.

I am looking forward to St. Augustine Stan :). If you happened to bring it would have to see if my tripod could handle the weight. I would be worried that a lens like that could spoil me :p.

SMB2
02-18-2016, 10:55 AM
Well it will spoil you for sure!
You can always just use it with your camera on my rig.

SS 1/80, F11, ISO 1600, 200-400mm f4 @310mm


94746

Second Hand Pat
02-18-2016, 11:11 AM
So ugly until they are cute. :D I will check the weight limits on my tripod Stan.
Pat

Second Hand Pat
02-18-2016, 12:10 PM
This guy was gorgeous. Couldn't avoid the branches in the foreground :(

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1664/24814571730_a84b31122e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DNMaDC)DSC_6155-2 (https://flic.kr/p/DNMaDC)

rickztahone
02-18-2016, 10:28 PM
What a graceful looking bird. I'm so jealous that you can take pics of them this close.

Second Hand Pat
02-18-2016, 11:52 PM
What a graceful looking bird. I'm so jealous that you can take pics of them this close.

That was an absolutely gorgeous bird Ricardo.
Pat

Len
02-19-2016, 01:25 AM
Nice photo Pat. The branches in the foreground make it more natural.

Second Hand Pat
02-19-2016, 10:20 AM
Nice photo Pat. The branches in the foreground make it more natural.

Thanks Len, After walking away from this photo and returning I am pretty happy with the result.
Pat