A couple from a bigger pond

[ajohnw]

I took a few shots the other day at another local "nature reserve". I like one. The other may be of interest as I doubt if full res cropped shots are posted very often. E-M1, ISO 400 as the lighting was mixed, 75-300mm zoom.

Around 150mm, reduced and cropped. Distance 8m. Minimal pp. Mostly curves and slight sharpening after reduction.



This one was taken at 300mm, distance 50m. Contrast, sharpening and exposure compensation. Had to use -1 EV to avoid loosing the back of the swan. Just cropped and no reduction.



600mm FF equivalent sounds a lot but in real terms it isn't - for birds.

John
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[bnnrcn]

Hi John I really like #1, there are some very tiny white bits towards the top of the frame, I don't know what they are but I think they need cloning . I love the exposure, details and reflections in the image .

[ajohnw]

Bits floating in the water Binnur. at least I hope they are. Olympus use the usual sensor vibration but add a sticky substance to catch the bits. I had no problem with the E-M5 so would guess it's not bits on the sensor.

Correct I should have cloned them out. Just being lazy. Both have had no more than a few mins spent on them. Maybe they will vanish in a few mins.

John
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[ajohnw]

Spotted using GIMP's heal tool and slight colouration change - not sure about that. Think I prefer the original.



John
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[gregj1763]

I have seen many photos of brown ducks on basically brown water and this is one of the best so far. Not easy to get separation with subject and background so well done mate

[Kodiak]

Hey John,

Wildlife is among the most difficult type of photography I ever experienced:
—one does not control anything but the "when" and the "how long".

We spent quite some time at a marsh close by to get used to the new 200/400 ƒ4
that was purchased earlier this year. Over a period of three weeks, we spent every
free minute, an anytime of day to come to these results: see exif, all SOOC.

Olivier with the 300 ƒ2.8:

Me with the 200/400 ƒ4:

Should you wish to see more, please visit: Swans & Other Feathers on our website.

[ajohnw]

I spent maybe 10 mins during an hour or so walk Kodiak. More seeing what was there really. I will be going that way again.

The duck is sooc with all camera augmentations turned off and deliberately allowed to under expose. The main processing was a mild curve. The 2nd one has very mild lab chromaticity and contrast adjustments.

I often post just to show what the gear that was used can do hence the swan. I suppose a better shot could be obtained full frame with a 600mm Canon prime on it but few would want to carry that around and 50m is likely to be a problem anyway. That is from raw to get what's in it in sensibly. Next bit of fun is seeing if I can do anything with it.

On ducks and water comments - I seem to often have a bit of luck with those but have taken a number. Thanks

Shooting distances I also saw a small UK heron. Tiny in the viewfinder even at 300mm m4/3. Wont be posting that one but could see it had feathers and eyes. Pity about the wire mesh behind it as well.

John
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[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images

[bnnrcn]

I keep looking at the original and this one but I can't see any color change John? Cleaning job looks good though

Spotted using GIMP's heal tool and slight colouration change - not sure about that. Think I prefer the original.



John
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[ajohnw]

I can - just - if I open the thread in 2 separate windows so I can enlarge and see them both at the same time.

The colours a slightly richer on the 2nd one and the dark area on the head is probably the most noticeable difference.

Thought I might have uploaded the wrong one by mistake. It is a very minor adjustment.

John
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[bnnrcn]

Thanks for the tip John, I did the same thing and I saw the difference at last! I actually prefer the second one , but please mind that I'm a bit fond of strong colors.

I can - just - if I open the thread in 2 separate windows so I can enlarge and see them both at the same time.

The colours a slightly richer on the 2nd one and the dark area on the head is probably the most noticeable difference.

Thought I might have uploaded the wrong one by mistake. It is a very minor adjustment.

John
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[John 2]

I think I prefer the original duck John. The second is a tad heavier. Like the swan with it's runny nose. A lot of noise? Is that deliberate?

[ajohnw]

I think I prefer the original duck John. The second is a tad heavier. Like the swan with it's runny nose. A lot of noise? Is that deliberate?

No it isn't. It's probably down to a contrast by detail level adjustment that I am not used to working on nothing and mild sharpening trying to get detail in the swans back. Really I only posted it to show a full res crop with the lens at 300mm. In that respect I think it isn't too bad. The processing has augmented the neck detail - probably too much. Actually this shot makes me think I should check the phase focusing as Olympus wouldn't have put it in unless they thought it might be needed.

Can't say as I have shot many swans - none with m 4/3 cameras and it looks to me that they are a challenge in their own right. At more sensible distances the lens gives results more in line with this one. Another 100% crop taken from about 12m. The camera can show some chroma noise in out of focus flat back grounds. This is literally sooc. A shot I wont be doing anything with.



John
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[csa mt]

" there are some very tiny white bits towards the top of the frame"

I also see the larger one just to the left of the swan's head.

John, could your lens/filter need dusting off?

[csa mt]

John, excellent photos, all three! Really beautiful!

[Kodiak]

I spent maybe 10 mins during an hour or so walk Kodiak. More seeing what was there really. I will be going that way again.

I understand, John. And you go that way again and take longer… be warned:
THIS TYPE OF HUNTING IS EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE! Good time and luck!

[ajohnw]

" there are some very tiny white bits towards the top of the frame"

I also see the larger one just to the left of the swan's head.

John, could your lens/filter need dusting off?

Could be Carol. I'll check. Thanks. The spots in the duck shot appear to be bits floating in the water but the odd areas in the swan one look a little odd to be down to that.. I would be surprised if dust can a cause a problem like that. It might just be something or the other that's out of focuse. Same water and conditions as the duck shot - interesting to compare the ripples.

John
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[ajohnw]

I understand, John. And you go that way again and take longer… be warned:
THIS TYPE OF HUNTING IS EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE! Good time and luck!

Macro is much worse - just don't try it.

John
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[IzzieK]

John...I too am late to this party discussion...but I like the edit on #2 duck. The more I look at it, the more I like it. Not too fond of your swan, a bit noisy...now with the recall of the D810 I am bending more into getting an Olympus since I had better luck with it from the past...