Small birds - Pantanal - Thread two

[Otavio]

Hi Otávio: What an incredible trip you are on. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful series. I think I am partial to the Kingfisher in Number 9. How did you manage to expose the bird so well against that bright sky? Any post processing tips on that one?

Hello, Suzan. Thanks for passing by. Regarding your question:

A) Capture: Use central photometry (not matrix) and put the bird in the center (for light metering). That should properly expose the bird. Remember to leave some room for "crop composition", as you centered the bird.
B) Post Processing: Work with lights and shadows curves. Normally, in such situations, you will raise shadow levels and pull down the lights a little.

Then you can do your usual PP, in the way you prefer to do it (sharpen, noise reduction, saturation and contrast levels, etc), ok?

Kindest regards,

[Otavio]

These are all great, as we've come to expect from you, Otávio! One in particular has me curious is #6, the Toucan. I can't figure out if its tongue looks like a feather or is that a branch behind the head? I have never seen a tongue that looked like that so I wasn't sure.

Thanks, Frank! Regarding the toucan, you're absolutely right, that's its tongue! Quite weird, ain't?

[Otavio]

Quite a variety of birds, Otavio. And good idea staying in the boat. Nice job.

Thanks, Dan. Yes, the boat was quite confortable, especially when we heard the Jaguars around us, hidden somewhere in the jungle (a pitty we didnt see any, though).

Cheers,