Take-off 2

[Mark Nadler]

I spent an hour with this blue heron while it skimmed across a lake hunting for small fish.  Comments welcomed.

Mark

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Was an off-camera flash used? I find the image somewhat unsettlingly dark. Well caught, action-wise.

[Mark Nadler]

Slobodan, i underexposed the image to make sure I captured the maximum detail
In the bird’s wings.  I still had sufficient light to produce a normal lit background for
This type of day shot.  When I looked at this image during development I just kept
Seeing this dark rich oil painting quality background with the blue heron bursting through it.
I am not trying to mimic an oil painting.  I want the image to look like a photograph.  I just liked
The contrast between the dark watery background and the blue heron in all its splendor.

Mark

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

It's a great catch, but I agree with Slobodan that it feels unsettlingly too dark.
I think the image could be somewhat lighter without losing any of the richness.

[LesPalenik]

It's a great catch, but I agree with Slobodan that it feels unsettlingly too dark.
I think the image could be somewhat lighter without losing any of the richness.

+1

[Mark Nadler]

Slobodan, see if this lighter background works better for you.

mark

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I would have left the background alone and made the heron lighter.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

I would have left the background alone and made the heron lighter.

+1

I never had issue with the background. It is the heron that bothered me. I can’t figure the lighting and time of day. As if backlit by flash?

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

It looks to me more like a Great Egret than a Great Blue Heron, which has a dark band on the top of its head. It's clearly bigger than a Little Blue Heron. Most Great Blues look almost white (except for the top of the head), and there is a Florida variant which  is all white.

I think this one should look as if most of it is white but in shadow, with a few bits sunlit.

[Mark Nadler]

Sorry I mispoke earlier and called it a great blue heron.  I believe it is a tricolored heron -- anyone feel free to correct me.  No i did not use flash
when taking this picture.  If I was going to be a bit more honest with the proper luminance on the bird it should be darker and not lighter.

mark

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Ah! Tricolored heron makes more sense, and now the tones in the image work.
I've never seen a Tricolored, so I was expecting an almost white body.

[Mark Nadler]

Eric, I am forever mixing up this guy with the Blue Heron.  There is a group of birds whose names
I am constantly getting wrong.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

mark

[brianrybolt]

The shot (Heron only) looks like it has been solarized (as in the film/wet darkroom days).  The capture is fine but the processing could be better.

Brian

[Mark Nadler]

Brian, sorry for my delayed response to your comment.  I have been away for a while and have not been able to
respond to your comment.  No, the image has not been solarized.  I could easily lighten the background further
and I guess make it look more typical.  I processed the image the way I would have painted it in oil.

Mark

[OnlyNorth]

The bird could be lighter and its color is not good enough.In less than 20 min. I reprocessed your shot.So I advised You to use Viveza- as an easy tool- and then Clone Stamp tool to modify the white line of the neck.I hope You know to use more layers during editing process.
Finally,please do not be upset about the advice You receive.