Blue bird
Uploaded: August 08, 2010 11:42:43
Resting before moving on during his migratory trip through Louisiana for the northern range.
I used masking and blending techniques learned from both Doug Steakley and Lewis Kemper to lighten the shadows and darken the highlights through both dodging, burning, and the gradient tool. I'm trying to sort out and clarify that which confused me in class.
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/2000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1600, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 420.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 20D
Nikki McDonald August 09, 2010
Well I think you've done an excellent job here, Bunny -- the detail is very nice and the lighting looks even to me. Such a pretty little bird. #1296340Susan K. Snow August 09, 2010
Thank you, Nikki. I used the Basic Masking techniques learned from Doug and the burn and dodge taught by Lewis Kemper via his DVD, which I bought while trying to understand in class. Well done DVD's make learning so much easier, especially when one cannot spend long hours sitting at the computer. Lewis' teaching of the gradient tool was remarkable for blending overly or under exposed areas!Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 02, 2010
Super details, excellent clarity on this beautiful blue bird. This is a fav Bunny! #8878305Susan K. Snow September 03, 2010
Thank you for your wonderful critique, Donna.Next January, I hope to take Lewis Kemper's class again to pick up what I previously missed and so that I can go on and learn more.
Thank you for your comments. #8879661
Jessica Jenney September 16, 2010
What a gorgeous capture, Bunny! Congratulations on your fabulous finalist! #8907901Nikki McDonald September 16, 2010
Loved it when you posted it, still do, Bunny. This is a terrific capture and your processing is masterful. Congratulations on the finalist and good luck in the next round. #8909651Bunny Snow September 16, 2010
Thank you Jessica, and Nikki for your comments on my finalist. I was so surprised and thrilled.So many people received tons of finalists this month. Regardless of the reason, for the handing out of so many, I was thrilled to receive not only one but two...considering I only entered a few images.
#8910848
Amanda D. Austwick September 16, 2010
Congratulations Bunny on this exquisite bluebird photo!!! #8911144Susan K. Snow September 16, 2010
Thank you, Amanda, for your wonderful comment. I'm just tickled to receive both your comment and the finalist! #8911212Nancy (Peaches) Harker August 04, 2011
A very beautiful capture, congrats on your finalist win!!! #9582064Leslie McLain August 31, 2011
Congrats on a beautiful finalist, Susan. #9644127Songbird Cline November 16, 2011
Your comment on my image led me to look at your lovely gallery! This bird is gorgeous. #9809123Susan K. Snow November 16, 2011
I guess it pays to comment. This bird was accomplished after taking Lewis Kemper's class, which taught me how to process the image. Because I learn slowly, I was unable to remember information in class. But, I kept trying over and over again until it clicked in my mind. Now I wonder what took me so long? (LOL!)If you need to brush up on Photoshop, I strongly recommend his class and DVD's! They are wonderful!Q #9811005
Songbird Cline November 16, 2011
Yes, comments lead to meeting new people and getting to see new galleries! I just LOVE birds, and you have so many lovely images. I feel happy when I see the jays playing in the water and the pretty little birds in their beautiful plumage! You have so many lovely wildlife images! #9811021Susan K. Snow November 16, 2011
Thank you for your kind words. I also love birds. After the coon kits left a couple years ago, I felt so sad, that I was looking for something else to expand what they taught me in capturing them. The coon kits are in my other gallery --The same techniques worked with the birds. But the flash would only fire with one shot. That was a problem in low light conditions, but not with lots of light.
Jim Zuckerman gave me hints that really helped with the birds. And from then on it was just trial and error. I wanted to capture them doing something --not just sitting looking pretty. I wanted to capture bird behavior, and felt like I knew every bird.
My favorite blue jay was killed by a GOP grackle a couple years ago just after I captured him bathing. The grackles took revenge and severed his throat with their beaks. BJ often play to the camera. He would watch to see if I was focusing on him and then would go through his attics.
I miss him. #9811592
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