Hit and Miss 2020 Project Thread - Skitterbug aka Sandy

Sandy, the moment I saw this image I thought it was stunning!

As for the lighting, my guess is that it was taken in the evening or perhaps early morning – hence what appears to be the somewhat golden colour hitting the robin's breast almost horizontally. If that's the case, I'd be tempted to leave it as it is although a very slight lightening of the right side of the birds head might be helpful.

I'm curious how you got this photo. You don't say what was the focal length of the lens but, whatever it was, the image gives the sense that you were lying in the grass somehow invisible to the robin. That's one of the reasons that the image turned out so well. Perhaps you had the camera sitting on something at ground level and a long cable release?

Excellent analysis Bruce ! :)

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Originally Posted by Cantab

Sandy, the moment I saw this image I thought it was stunning!

As for the lighting, my guess is that it was taken in the evening or perhaps early morning – hence what appears to be the somewhat golden colour hitting the robin's breast almost horizontally. If that's the case, I'd be tempted to leave it as it is although a very slight lightening of the right side of the birds head might be helpful.

I'm curious how you got this photo. You don't say what was the focal length of the lens but, whatever it was, the image gives the sense that you were lying in the grass somehow invisible to the robin. That's one of the reasons that the image turned out so well. Perhaps you had the camera sitting on something at ground level and a long cable release?

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Hi Bruce - Thank you for the uplifting message. I really appreciate it very much.

Yes, the photo was taken in the evening hour with the little robin facing the setting sun. Hubby and I were sitting by the koi pond quietly to see what might come around and this opportunity turned up. My photo was taken with a hand held 7D Mark II Canon using the 100-400 lens with the extender attached.

<chuckling> If I did manage to get myself flat on the ground, I doubt very much if I could get back up very quickly.... :) So I stick to chairs, stools, etc.

I did try and lighten the bird's head but I haven't really liked the results so I was hesitant to do much about it. Probably my technique is lacking since I am rusty working in post processing. If I can achieve better results, I'll post my efforts to see which image is best to the group!

Again, thank you Bruce and Antonio for commenting! I appreciate it very much!

Rather than try and change the lighting on the Robin's head, I elected to bright the image a tiny bit and see if that makes a difference?

So here's the before:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...mKXHzjT-X2.jpg

And here's the after:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...tzd8v7D-X2.jpg

Thank you Sandy, for posting the new version !

To me it looks better even if the difference is quite small... :)

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Originally Posted by Antonio Correia

Thank you Sandy, for posting the new version !

To me it looks better even if the difference is quite small... :)

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Hi Antonio - Thanks for replying and for the support! :)

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Originally Posted by Antonio Correia

Thank you Sandy, for posting the new version !

To me it looks better even if the difference is quite small... :)

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I agree with Antonio.

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Originally Posted by Cantab

I agree with Antonio.

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Hi Bruce - Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts! :)

It has been a crazy summer. I thought that I'd have plenty of opportunity to capture various poses of the bullfrogs since we had seven of them. Surprised me, they all disappeared! Then, finally, two returned from who knows where. Even knowing those two are back, it is still very difficult seeing them. My excuse is that from 10 water hyacinth plants, the koi pond exploded into so many plants that we could barely pick out the fish. We've resorted to tossing lots of the plants into the compost heap.
I did manage to capture this photo the end of June and finally processed it. I like the results. Hope you enjoy this one as well.

Camera settings f/9 - Auto ISO - 1000 and 1/1250ss so I could stop the action of the water.

Bullfrog enjoying a splash!

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...fKDMLmb-X2.jpg

Indeed Sandy, it is quite an enjoyable photograph ! :)
Terribly sharp and frozen. We can see that the frog is enjoying the splash !
At the first sight of this image I thought it was frozen water.
Thank you for sharing ! :)

Take care as it is around everywhere and gives no truce.
Cheers ! :)

I enjoy this image, as much the frog enjoys the splash; really a lovely shot!!!

Excellent shot.

There is one small over bright water droplet near the right edge about half way up the image which I would clone out. Otherwise a perfect scene.

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Originally Posted by Antonio Correia

Indeed Sandy, it is quite an enjoyable photograph ! :)
Terribly sharp and frozen. We can see that the frog is enjoying the splash !
At the first sight of this image I thought it was frozen water.
Thank you for sharing ! :)

Take care as it is around everywhere and gives no truce.
Cheers ! :)

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Hi Antonio - we will have frozen water sooner than I would like but for now, the weather is enjoyable. :) I spotted the bullfrog this evening but he was more quiet, sitting in the waterfall area. I have some images of him but I haven't checked them to see if anything is worthwhile.
Thank you for commenting on the frog enjoying the splash. I was really pleased to catch this image and that it turned out as well as it did! :)
And yes, we are being as cautious as we can be and hope to avoid illness! It seems to be nasty indeed! You take care as well!

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Originally Posted by Wavelength

I enjoy this image, as much the frog enjoys the splash; really a lovely shot!!!

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Hi Nandakumar - Thank you for checking the bullfrog image out! I was happy to have the chance to capture this image! :) I always appreciate your comments! :)

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Originally Posted by Geoff F

Excellent shot.

There is one small over bright water droplet near the right edge about half way up the image which I would clone out. Otherwise a perfect scene.

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Hi Geoff - I see the "spot" you have in mind and once I noticed what you are referring to, I totally agree with your assessment! It needs to be removed!
Thank you for "spotting" it! <LOL>
And thank you for checking on my images. I appreciate it very much! :)

Hi Sandy, I agree with all the others. This is a very good and enjoyable photo!

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Originally Posted by skitterbug

Bullfrog enjoying a splash!

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Very well timed and captured Sandy !

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Originally Posted by Geoff F

Excellent shot.

There is one small over bright water droplet near the right edge about half way up the image which I would clone out. Otherwise a perfect scene.

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Hi Geoff - here is the image with the spot I think you had in mind to remove. Better? :)

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...CDwHLs6-X2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cantab

Hi Sandy, I agree with all the others. This is a very good and enjoyable photo!

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Hi Bruce - Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you like the image! :)

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Very well timed and captured Sandy !

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Hi Grahame - Thanks for your thoughts about this image! I also want to add that I've enjoy your photos of Fiji. Thanks for sharing your smugmug link! :)