Gatorland Photoshoot

[rickztahone]

Done

got it and will work it later on PS

[Jack L]

Some great shots!

[Second Hand Pat]

Some great shots!

Thanks Jack

[rickztahone]

Laying is Hard Work
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Regal (ashame there is branch in the way)
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Here's what I came up with Pat. Not 100% happy with the clone job but the kiddos are getting restless ATM.

For Pat by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

[Second Hand Pat]

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?
Pat

[SMB2]

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.

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[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Stan, using your suggestions I took this (straight from the camera)

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and did this.

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

[rickztahone]

Very nice Pat. That is better than any BIF shot I have personally ever taken

[Second Hand Pat]

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.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Redid this photo but still not happy with it.

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[Akili]

Thanks for sharing. You take amazing pictures!!!

[Second Hand Pat]

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]

Took another stab at this one too.

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[SMB2]

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.

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[Discus-n00b]

Took another stab at this one too.

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In love with this one!!!

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