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Thread: Puffin

  1. #1

    Puffin

    Hello all,

    This was taken on the Farne Islands, in Northumbria, last week.

    Any suggestions welcome, especially relating to post-processesing, as I haven't done anything to it yet.

    Thanks for looking

    Puffin

  2. #2

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    Re: Puffin

    Nice shot.

    Looks somewhat underexposed here but if that is the look you are after that is fine.

  3. #3

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    Re: Puffin

    Nice shot! I too think it could be lightened a bit and then cropped some.

  4. #4
    Dizzy's Avatar
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    Re: Puffin

    Michaela, Puffins are just cool looking birds, and any shot of one is good IMO!

    Made no other changes to the pic, but this is a crop I might consider:
    Attached Images Attached Images

  5. #5

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    Re: Puffin

    Yes, I think you need a fairly tight crop here. I find that out of focus bird is distracting from an excellent main subject.

  6. #6
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
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    Re: Puffin

    Hi Michaela,

    Well you could do a couple of crops here; one almost as shot, or keep just the main subject, in (say) a square crop.

    If you retain the birds on the left, I would locally tone down the bright white chest to below the level of the main subject's chest, but don't over do it, or it'll look wrong.

    I probably favour a tighter crop - to get more bird in the frame compared to background.

    A small increase in overall exposure could also be done, as suggested by Bobo and Muriel.

    For the record, the EXIF data says; Canon EOS 7D, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM at 300 mm; Manual exposure, 1/1,600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320.

    Cheers,

  7. #7

    Re: Puffin

    Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me some great critique I will have a go, and re-post.

  8. #8
    jeeperman's Avatar
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    Re: Puffin

    Very cool bird and one I hope to get a shot at one of these days. I agree with the advice given and have nothing more to offer but....nice capture.

  9. #9

    Re: Puffin

    Well It took a while, but here is my finished image, thanks again for all the advice.

    I went for the tighter crop in the end, and a slight adjustment to the exposure. I also had a go at lightening a couple of dark patches in the background, and tried to sharpen the feathers a little, all of which was a bit of a learning curve for me as I haven't really used photoshop much at all.

    Puffin

  10. #10
    terrib's Avatar
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    Re: Puffin

    That is a beautiful picture of a beautiful bird. I like this tight crop much better since you can really see the detail in the bird.

  11. #11

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    Re: Puffin

    For me, Michaela, close up bird, and insect, photos are portraits; so I usually use the same techniques as I would for photographing people.

    As you have done with this excellent photo.

  12. #12
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
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    Re: Puffin

    Very nice Michaela,

    You negotiated 'the curve' very well

  13. #13

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    Re: Puffin

    As Dave mentioned, you did exceptionally well with your learning curve. Your second version is comparable to that of a far more seasoned post-processor. Congratulations!

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