Black Swan

[maloufn]

Taken with Canon EOS 50D. . Comments please.

Nasseem

[maloufn]

"Graceful" is what I called this shot. Canon 50D. Canon EF 100 Macro 1/50 sec, f3.5 at ISO 200. C& C please.

Nasseem

[mythlady]

Naseem, I like both of them but find the first one particularly arresting -- I'm surprised at the brightness of the red beak! Though it's probably just as it was, the green background in the second one doesn't look quite natural to me, and the bright spot up in the corner draws the eye away from the subject. But I love the little piece of grass? in the bill. Well done.

[maloufn]

Thank you Elise. The beak in the first capture is in fact less red here than on my screen. I might need to calibrate my screen something I have not done.

Nasseem

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Nasseem,

I love black swans, particularly in spring with the young signets, and well done on the capture. It is nice to be able to get so close.

I agree with Elise’s comments here. What colour space do you work in? The web is designed for sRGB and if you work in Adobe RGB you might find when you post to the web the image are a little flat. This might be one reason why you are experiencing different colours.

Both images also look a little soft to me. The eyes really need to be sharp in images of animals and people. I hope you don’t mind but I did change the colour space to sRGB and slightly sharpen to show what I mean.

[maloufn]

Peter you are a gem. So that might be the case. They look more like what I see on my screen now. Ive got a lot more of these and some signets?? Ill upload one for you now.

Thanks again

Nasseem

[Peter Ryan]

Classic shot. I love it Nasseem.

[maloufn]

Classic shot. I love it Nasseem.

Peter this is another one

[Peter Ryan]

Well done they are gorgeous.

One thing I forgot to mention with the original swan shots is that when you downsize so dramatically you often have to re-sharpen as most of the original effect is lost. Your shots are reproducing well now.

[maloufn]

Well done they are gorgeous.

One thing I forgot to mention with the original swan shots is that when you downsize so dramatically you often have to re-sharpen as most of the original effect is lost. Your shots are reproducing well now.

Thanks Peter. All good constructive criticism.

Nasseem

[maloufn]

Dear Peter,

Do you use "Save for the web" in PS after adjustments or do you just go to Image/resize/ 700 width/height/save as JPEG. Also what is the optimum size to upload considering all factors (quality/speed etc)

Thanks

nasseem

[Peter Ryan]

I normally change the colour space to sRGB (if required) and then go to Image Size and change the resolution to 72ppi and then change the dimensions to 700 pixels wide or high (depending) and save as a jpeg around a size around 150 - 200.

As I mentioned you might then have to relook at some sharpening.

[maloufn]

Thank you Peter. That is what I do also except that I do not resharpen afterwards. I am adding another swan for you for C&C

Thanks

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Nasseem,

I bet that looks more like what you get on your screen. I do like the pose and balance in the shot. I often walk around Albert Park Lake and try to get good swan shots but I am normally on a route march (main purpose is exercise) and don't take the time. Getting down to their level is very important and nice DOF control. Well done.

[maloufn]

Peter,

This is in a Centennial Park. I get down to their level and they have no fear of humans. In fact they even challenge you specially with signets around. But I love that shot. Next step is Africa !!!! Just need a few monster lenses and a few yrs of education on CIC.

Nasseem

[Peter Ryan]

I have been to Africa and you get so close (just like tha swans) that you do not need anything too big in the way of lenses. I took a 70 - 300mm and it was more than adequate. So don't use that as an excuse.

[maloufn]

Is that right? Id still like one of those 400 or 500s for that.
Thanks Peter