Redpolls on Parade

[Suzan J]

Hello All: A few weeks ago, I asked for help with some post processing for my bird pics. I did take the advice to heart and have been working on improving my Lightroom skills. Thanks to all who provided tips relating to workflow, sharpening and other Lightroom functions. By experimenting with all the dials and levers, I have found that I no longer use the global contrast tool. I'm using the curve tool and find that I'm getting much better results as I can control the specific areas of contrast. I am also using the sharpening tips some of you gave me and I am laying off the NR tool to avoid overly softening the images.

I also changed my shooting process somewhat. As most of the bird shots seem to involve small dark birds against bright backgrounds, I am using spot metering and I do think this improves the overall exposure which requires less PP work afterwards. I am also shooting in Manual mode using a high shutter speed and an F stop of around 8 as this appears to be the sweet spot for my long lens. In doing so, I have set the ISO to automatic with a high end of 1200. (It seldom gets that high) I find by letting the camera choose the ISO, the exposure is also improved.

Here are a couple of Redpoll shots along with a Pine Sisken and Pine Grosbeak. I was happy to get a catchlight in some of these. There have not been too many visitors of late, but hopefully there will be new arrivals shortly. These shots are not ideal due to shadows, branches, poses, and other flaws, but I'm posting them as, to my eye, they are an improvement for me in terms of the processing. The focus points are somewhat off as well, on the beak or on the chest, instead of the eye. In my defence, and as an excuse, I was handholding the monster Tamron 150-600 and I surprised myself by even getting a focus point on the little birds at all. I now have muscles in my hand that were not there before. Of course, there is so much more to improve and C and C is welcome.

Female Pine Grosbeak




Pine Sisken




Redpoll



Redpoll

[Geoff F]

Looking good, Suzan.

There are a few potential risks with spot metering when your subjects are in mixed surroundings and you accidentally meter for branches or flowers instead, but it can certainly help; although if you need to focus/expose then recompose you can find some difficulties.

What some serious birders do to avoid the background having too much influence is to work out the desired exposure with some test shots (and quite a bit of experience) then set your camera with manual settings. But you have to remember that you are on manual when you need to take a quick shot which requires different settings!

[Brownbear]

Hi Suzan,

These are beautiful! Gorgeous light, sharp focus and lovely detail. The post processing also looks wonderful to me but I like soft colours so others might suggest adding more contrast, but I love your processing of these.

My favourite is a toss up between the Sisken (best background) and the Redpoll for the especially adorable pose and eye contact.

[Downrigger]

I think these are all quite nice, but the third (redpoll) is really special. Great job.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set. The second and third shots are really nice. I like the third best for bringing it all together. Good techs, interesting position by the bird, eye contact, and great BG. A bit of judicious cloning would make it even better. Better yet if these are shot near a feeder, some judicious pruning for future shoots would be outstanding. The second shot had best overall potential if the birdie had looked up at you. Overall nicely done.

[Nicks Pics]

You are using the Tamron 150-600? I have seen a lot of impressive stuff from that lens! (not that I have it). It sounds like you are using good techs. I do usually use spot metering for subjects against the sky, though that can make for the highlights in the sky to be clipped if it's overcast, but it looks like the sky was not out of your DR here.

It also sounds like you are doing things well in LR. NR is not really necessary unless you have noisy images, obviously, and then, it depends on how large the final will be, so if there was some noise in the originals of these bird images, after you downsize them it might not show much. Yes, I do find that the curves tool is useful, and also the clarity to some extent.

You are being picky about the slight issues with focus or depth of field, I am too, but you have to recognize that little tiny birds are not easy to shoot!

[Barbara Ponder]

Beautiful shots! The last 2 are my favs!

[Rebel]

Lovely shots, the colours are a bit soft for me. The last shot is my personal favourite.

[John 2]

Nice set Suzan. The last two for me. Love the coy look of the last one.

[IzzieK]

I am with the last two shots of the Redpoll too...the pose is great, the sharpness is just right and you nailed the catchlight in that last one with the cheeky pose.

[Suzan J]

Thanks all for the positive comments and tips. My goal is to "up my game" in the bird department this year with the new lens. I have ordered a one-person camouflage duck blind to use on our little river to scout for ducks, but the darn thing is coming from China. Sure hope it gets here before the snow flies again. Nick, I would have loved to get the 300 mm prime, but the Tamron was a more affordable option for me. The extra reach is quite nice and I find that I can get away with very little cropping, especially when using the Nikon 1.3 image area.