Hairy woodpecker

[Steve S]

Very nice shot bobo. I adjusted the white balance/adjusted the levels/added some more sharpening.....................

[Bobobird]

Thanks Steve - that too is another great edit. How do you guys know what to look for problem-wise. I did'nt even know there was a green cast until it was pointed out in an earlier post.

[Steve S]

Thanks Steve - that too is another great edit. How do you guys know what to look for problem-wise. I did'nt even know there was a green cast until it was pointed out in an earlier post.

I seem to have a VERY good eye for it. If you look at the individual histograms, and the right side is not close to even, then there is a color cast. The color cast will be predominant to the color of the histogram furthest to the right. Sometimes you want to leave a color cast(for example a sun set ), and other times you don't (when color of an object is very critical to an accurate representation of the subject ( like most wildlife photos).

There are several ways to get rid of a color cast. One way is to adjust the levels of each individual histogram (this will also give you better contrast in the image.) Another way is to find the gray point in the image and use the grey eyedroper, in the levels tool, and click on that point and it will correct it.

White balance and color corrections are one of the hardest things to get a grasp on , in editing. I usually correct my colors first thing and then when editing, i choose the blending modes that will protect my colors (like luminosity ) once corrected.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Steve - you just made me a bit wiser. I have always been "if it looks good to the eye, it is good" - apparently not!

[smcconsulting]

Hello Bobo, that woodpecker looks like a " Ladderbacked Woodpecker" . This link is for the " Cornell Lab of Ornithology" http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189. If you see a bird you can't identify they will have it! As well there is a lot of info on bird behavior, feeding habits and calls and songs in download mp3 format . This site is a great if you love bird photography!