| This site requires new users to accept that a small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondslr.uk after requesting a new account. Thank you. |
| Moderated by: chrisbet, | ||
| Author | Post | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eric
|
Thought I should start another year with an all too rare visitor to the garden. Once we would have dozens of Fieldfares and a few Redwings feasting on the windfalls but now dwindling bird numbers and additionally, as a side effect of global warming, fewer birds needing to migrate this far south, we rarely see them. This sole bird was clearly starving. It stood for nearly an hour eating its fill of apple paying no heed to the other birds around it. it was very docile for a Fieldfare. But then, now filled with energy it resorted to type, chasing and scolding the blackbirds like a thing possessed. Fortunately I captured it while in its half exhausted state....it was all over the place after that. For the record, it was -6deg outside....the photographs were taken through double glazing, of course!!!!!  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Lady Blackbird emerges from her well used bolt hole in the frost covered hedge, after a sparrow hawk passed by... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
I'll Duck in with one, (I'll get my coat) Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Love a duck...... |
|||||||||
jk
|
Definitely love a duck or even two! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Grey Wagtail. Dull day and big crop. DZ8_1656 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Was it a pair.  Nice bird(s) 1656 exposures already Iain. Don’t wear it out. Are you happier with the results than the Sony? |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Just one taken at 10000ISO just cropped and a little bit of denoise. Again poor light. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Two Red Kite pics. DZ8_3394-Edit-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr  DZ8_3368 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Went looking for Goosanders on the River Ouse. They winter there every year and I photographed them once. I was told they are near the bridge in Downham Market....cant miss them ....there all day". Well unless this is a Transgender Goosander, they weren't there today. Just as well as 12800 ISO is a bit too grainy for me especially when cropping. Not even a Purple Heron.   Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Stone the Crows!!!!! Actually 84 Jackdaws ...and a wood pigeon having a late afternoon halt in our garden on the way to their roost.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
At least you got something. |
|||||||||
jk
|
If you want to kill noise and improve sharpness then try TopaZ Labs Sharpen AI. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:If you want to kill noise and improve sharpness then try TopaZ Labs Sharpen AI. Photoshop AI denoise is very good. My problem is I forget to drop the shutter speed when I don’t need it high. Stationery birds don’t need 1/1200th! That’s 2 or even 3stops of ISO reduction available for a static subject.  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
One of the hazards of patio doors that depict a reflected area of the garden that isn't there! This Collared Dove took flight in the wrong direction. Fortunately only its dignity was damaged and he/she flew into the tree to hide its embarrassment....it emerged shortly after (they have short memories) to feed again.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Stupid things regularly crash into our windows, occasionally breaking their neck! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Stupid things regularly crash into our windows, occasionally breaking their neck! Well this one had a Sparrowhawk on its tail but it braked and peeled off just in time. Another angle and some good old mono...  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A fine art picture of a Pigeon. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A female Reed Bunting and a female Gadwall training for dancing on ice. DZ8_3820 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr  DZ8_3942 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
I think that duck is wondering how the other duck got frozen under the ice. Reed bunts are such unassuming characters. Nice captures….and full marks for venturing out is that weather.  And why are all ducks so pin toed? They wouldn’t waddle so much if they placed their feet straight. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Reed Buntings are one of the few birds that I think the female is the nicer looking of the two. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Reed Buntings are one of the few birds that I think the female is the nicer looking of the two. I tend to agree with you. The black on the males head is very severe. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A Siskin (female). DZ8_4860-Edit-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Bit of fun I used one of my Kingfisher photos to do a watercolour painting. Not one of my best but I enjoyed doing it. I promise no AI used or Photoshop was used, just watercolour paints and a brush. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Great Tit Sony A1 6000mm + x1.4 3200ISO Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Singing Dunnock, Spring is here? DZ8_5565-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Got the Camera out not used it for sometime.. A few garden birds sorry through double glazed window but the Blackcap F is good news! Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Graham, Glad to see you are well enough to start posting again. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Mandarin Duck. DZ8_6783-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Super weather today in Titchfield Haven with photographer friend Ian. Sony A1 with 600mm lens plus x1.4. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Nice to see you back out Graham. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Thanks Iain weather has put me off too many dull winter days.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Same up here weather wise. Nice Avocet, never a easy bird to get in the sun. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Thanks Chris it is working today Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Nice images - beautiful birds |
|||||||||
jk
|
Are these captive or wild raptors Graham. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Both wild but the Kestrel came to dead mice put in place for them to come to. Both shots in same wood owned by a friend who has a hide there. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Long Tailed Tit. DZ8_7426 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Starlings in the garden this evening with flutterbutter, Sony A1 with 100-400mm lens. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
They seem to like that stuff Graham. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Some more from our garden today: Sony A1 and 100-200mm lens Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Had another go today at the Starlings still with Sony A! and 100-400mm lens but used slightly better settings on motor drive speed "M" Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Jay Z8 180-600mm DZ8_9172-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
More young Starlings this afternoon. Did my best but could not get a good parent feeding shot. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Sony A1 and 200-600 with x1.4 all high ISO today light poor. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Bath Time Today young Starlings Sony A1  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Mistle Thrush. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
One of my favourites - sadly we haven't seen one in the garden for years. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Where I saw this we get Song Thrush but not many Mistle Thrust. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Well seen nice capture. I also not seen one for several years. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Coincidentally I was at a farm in Worcestershire this week and saw a parent Mistletoe Thrush showing 3 fledglings how to forage. Lovely sight. Haven’t seen them in our area for 5-10 years…and then only in cold winters |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Haven’t seen one up here for quite a while either, at first glance I thought Song Thrush till I took a second look. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Grey Heron with an eel. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
a kingfisher from Monday  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
and another one d500 +tamron 150-600 G2  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
They look good Jeff. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Must have been Kingfisher week. D8Z_1675 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A Juvenile Chiffchaff from today. D8Z_1881-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A juvenile Dunnock in the wet. D8Z_2465-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Sony A1 and some help from Lightroom Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Edited to remove shadow on squirrel's nose! Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Edited to remove shadow on squirrel's nose! All the best 'birds' have nose jobs these days. What kind of bird is that Graham?  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:
You can really see the camouflage effectiveness in young birds in that photo. nice capture and pose. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Working up a few more photos using Adobe Lightroom Clasic works OK, but still think I will stick with my old friend Photoshop. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Eric wrote:All the best 'birds' have nose jobs these days. Flying squirrel? |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Sony A1 with 600mm and x1.4 lens 3200 ISO Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Sony A1 with 600mm and x1.4 lens 3200 ISO You have certainly got your mojo working again Graham. Lovely image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Working up a few more photos using Adobe Lightroom Clasic works OK, but still think I will stick with my old friend Photoshop. Lightroom seems to have treated that image over harshly for my taste. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Had another go with Lightroom, and I do think Photoshop is better in several ways and is much better with dealing with noise on high ISO ie, like this taken in poor light at 3200 ISO you can not see any noise on the same photo processed in PS. This is the Lightroom version. Also, I am very much the new boy with Lightroom and am not very keen on it, wanting to store everything on the Cloud, this I will never do!!!! I will continue to stick with Photoshop, I have been using it since 1990 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Graham, Lightroom Classic, not Lightroom, is what you need as that uses local everything and saves back to your desired local drive! Lightroom Classic is probably the best image cataloguing system I have ever used. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Similar shot JK, but all PS this time and much better quality. Lightroom is, as you know, included with PS, but Classic, no doubt, is better but I would not use it much, and the extra cost would be silly to spend if not used. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
I get Photoshop and Lightroom Classic for my Adobe subscription that used to be £9.99/month now increased to £14.99/month. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:I get Photoshop and Lightroom Classic for my Adobe subscription that used to be £9.99/month now increased to £14.99/month. My Yorkshire Thrift Gland twitches each month Adobe take £9.98. I may give up photography when it goes over £10…..or at least altering my photos! On a more serious note, I am finding the images out of the new Fuji don’t NEED any photoshopping. Exposure is spot on and it handles most situations admirably. The only thing I would miss with Photoshop is the superb masking options which enable selective targeting IF I do WANT to make an adjustment. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Similar shot JK, but all PS this time and much better quality. Lightroom is, as you know, included with PS, but Classic, no doubt, is better but I would not use it much, and the extra cost would be silly to spend if not used. Graham…I know you may disagree with me but I am not a fan of the total oof background with birds. I like to see some semblance of habitat in the background. I appreciate backgrounds can be distracting but without it the image becomes more of a studio portrait than a wildlife capture. Nevertheless that’s a lovely image of a GSW ..from GWP.  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:Graham, So does Photoshop? I have a WIP folder on my desktop and all my photos are “parked” there till complete, before being saved to an external SSD. Cannot get excited in cloud storage of my images…old fashioned fart! |
|||||||||
jk
|
Eric wrote:My Yorkshire Thrift Gland twitches each month Adobe take £9.98. They will probably increase it to £14.99 within the year as that is what they think is an acceptable amount. Probably 1 second of accountants time at Adobe |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Nuthatch giving me a look. D8Z_2705 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:They will probably increase it to £14.99 within the year as that is what they think is an acceptable amount. I thought you had recoiled from paying Adobe anything and we’re using some other package? It a moot point, but I only stopped using Affinity because it wouldn’t open Sony raw files properly. I haven’t tried the Fuji files on there…they may be ok. It’s not the monthly amount persay that irritates me, it’s the fact I don’t use PS from one month to the next. If I go on there ….say 4 or 5 months ( after holidays) a year, I am effectively paying 2 to 3 x the price. Bring back the CD.  The older I get the more Yorkshire I become. Needed to replace a vertical blind runner for patio doors. The blind supplier wanted £148 to replace it. Went on line and bought the track for £35. Fitted into same clips in 30secs. I wanted to change the entry door locks to thumb locks ( we keep leaving keys insitu stopping opening from outside) Double glazing men came down measured up 2 locks. Quoted £152 for supply and fitting 2 new locks. Went on line ….£12 each. I literally fitted them both while the kettle boiled. I know in business they have to make a living…been there got the tee shirt. But since the pandemic (and Brexit) people are just taking the p! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Nuthatch giving me a look. What’s all this? Posting bird photos on a bird thread? Sorry for my ranting thread drift. Cheeky little bird. I do like seeing birds in atypical poses to their normal stances. Good capture  |
|||||||||
Iain
|
I don't know what Photoshop Elements is like now. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Sorry Eric, still no sharp BG, but this Sony A1 image with 800mm with x1.4 was shot in very poor light at ISO 5000! Unheard of a few years ago, but now a few seconds in Photoshop to almost remove all the noise. QED? Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Eric wrote:I thought you had recoiled from paying Adobe anything and we’re using some other package? Most people now have zero practical skills. I dont know what schools teach these days but I think it must be limited to 'How to feel insulted', 'I am entitled ....', 'My rights have been infringed by that.....', etc.. Good trained tradespeople are rare, getting them to turn up in Cornwall seems to be difficult, customer care is a thing of the past. Need I go on..... Then people wonder why they have less money that before. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Sorry Eric, still no sharp BG, but this Sony A1 image with 800mm with x1.4 was shot in very poor light at ISO 5000! Unheard of a few years ago, but now a few seconds in Photoshop to almost remove all the noise. QED? Graham look for the juvenile robins as they look like small thrushes. Very cute. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Iain wrote:I don't know what Photoshop Elements is like now. Same ACR as full Photoshop but less AI and many features dumbed down. Photoshop CC 2025 (v28.9) is very good. Lightroom Classic v14.4 is nearly as good as Photoshop CC but I always find that the Heal and Clone features in Photoshop work better. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Sorry Eric, still no sharp BG, but this Sony A1 image with 800mm with x1.4 was shot in very poor light at ISO 5000! Unheard of a few years ago, but now a few seconds in Photoshop to almost remove all the noise. QED? You are forgiven Graham Cracking bird. The lady that helps Jan around the house believes her Dad has ‘returned’ as a Robin because every time she looks out of our window a Robin appears. I will show her your image tomorrow and see if she can see any distinguishing features. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
jk wrote:Same ACR as full Photoshop but less AI and many features dumbed down. I was thinking of Eric if it's still a one off payment. Like you I have the PS and LR subscription. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:I was thinking of Eric if it's still a one off payment. Like you I have the PS and LR subscription. Do you use both, Iain? |
|||||||||
Eric
|
I am being a bit tongue I cheek about this. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Baby Robin on this, look back here to 28th July posting. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:Do you use both, Iain? Yes I do, I do most of my work in Lightroom but there are still things I prefer to do in PS. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
I used to use photoshop way back when it was free and I hadn't found Linux! I don't know Lightroom but this is a screenshot of Darktable / Lighttable - it handles pretty well every type of image including RAW  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
I have been looking at your woodpecker shots on splash , and marvelling at the quality especially sharpness of the images. Which camera/lens combo did you use, and how much postprocessing did you carry out? My squirrel and pigeon just don't cut it as far as I am concerned - I took better, sharper photographs with my Canon AE-1 Program and a 300mF4L canon lens.But that was a long time ago.... |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:I have been looking at your woodpecker shots on splash , and marvelling at the quality especially sharpness of the images. Which camera/lens combo did you use, and how much postprocessing did you carry out? Bob….in case Graham misses your questions (this is an old thread you’ve posted on) If you click on the “Click here to comment on this image” text under each image, another window opens with a smaller version of the image top left. Click on that smaller version and it gives access to its EXIF data….which gives you a lot of the info on the taking and making of the photo. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Lol - only if there is EXIF data to read - some editing software manages to lose it! And only on images in the topics - the splash page doesn't have that functionality, I am now just waiting for JK to request it..... |
|||||||||
jk
|
Requested as and when you have time to do it. No hurry. Moved Bob's post to the Bird Photography thread so he can see Graham's posts more easily.  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Following the recent post on another thread about the (not having telephoto lens with me) missed opportunity photographing a barn owl. I went back to the files and decided to re work one of the images using Photoshop's improved AI support. It's never going to be anything more than a heavy crop/sectional enlargement (105mm lens) but I think PS did a better job than previous software.. Affinity Photo.  Click here to comment on this image. Original file...  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
No hiding place. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
jk wrote:Requested as and when you have time to do it. No hurry. Done - new EXIF tag under each splash page image. It takes you to an original sized image with the EXIF button - as per the "comment" link. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:Following the recent post on another thread about the (not having telephoto lens with me) missed opportunity photographing a barn owl. That looks to have come out really well. |
|||||||||
jk
|
chrisbet wrote:Done - new EXIF tag under each splash page image. It takes you to an original sized image with the EXIF button - as per the "comment" link. Thanks Chris. Great service as always!. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:That looks to have come out really well. not for the vole. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Done - new EXIF tag under each splash page image. It takes you to an original sized image with the EXIF button - as per the "comment" link. Thx Chris….that makes things a lot easier to see image details. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:not for the vole. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote: Iain..sent you a PM |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
few from the weekend d500 +tamron 150-600 G2  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
few more from this weekend , not got a lot of spare time at the moment plus a bad back so just grabbing a few local gull shots as and when D500 +tamron 150-600G2 handheld  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
That combination seems to be working well Jeff. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Distance to subject - 70-80m. First chance to photograph a kite with the new lens. Click here to comment on this image. Possibly overexposed....  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
The  Click here to comment on this image. shots were taken from the verandah rail in the bottom of this photo - the red dot is where the kite perches. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Looking at the distance involved I don't think that is too bad. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
I'd put out some raw chicken and wait for the bird to come closer ... |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:I'd put out some raw chicken and wait for the bird to come closer ... An old work colleague of mine lives in a remote place in the Radnorshire hills. The kites come to his bird table!!! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob …that’s pretty damn good from that distance. It’s an inevitable fact that most digital photographs need some degree of adjustment either in the camera or in software afterwards. The latter is my preference. I grabbed your image from the forum (low resolution so not the best file to work with)….and did a bit of work on it (hope you don’t mind?) Yes the file is a tad over exposed but just moving the exposure will muddy the highlights. Take a look at the histogram. The object is to try to get a perfect curve, centred in the middle but with some black and white …in other words the edge of the curve needs to touch both side walls. The whites… bright sky is burnt out and “climbing the right hand wall” so to speak (yellow) But the blacks are stopping short. (Red)  Click here to comment on this image. Just lifting the Blacks by 16% (blue) brings the picture to life.  Click here to comment on this image. A little bit of sharpening, cropping and framing and this is your photo…  Click here to comment on this image. One of my business maxims was “inside every good photo, is a great image waiting to come out”. And in case you are concerned about having to use expensive complex photo editing software…this was done in 30secs applying the same criteria in photos app on my iPad. It doesn’t take a lot of work to lift the files.  Click here to comment on this image. Yeah …I should have spent another 30sec to tickle contrast and got it even closer. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
After saying how difficult it is to catch Kites swooping for prey, I hunted through my files and came up with the ONLY ONE photo I have ever taken of a kite swooping on prey. Now to achieve this image I was concealed in my car in 30deg heat for about 2 hours. I got through 2 packs of luncheon meat ...not for me, but bait. By the end of it, the kites were either too stuffed to come back or sick and tired of luncheon meat. anyway this was pretty near the end of the luncheon meat. Footnote: I replaced the luncheon meat slice in the image with a dead blackbird ..... ....which I happened to have in my possession at the time. (Come on.....I couldn't leave a slice of luncheon meat in the frame!!!!!)   Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Many thanks for those kind words, and I appreciate your work on the photo which is extremely helpful.Which program do you use? I thought it was overexposed, but all I did in NX Studio was reduce the noise and I think I increased the sharpness slightly. I hadn't thought about the histogram, being obsessed with the focusing. I will address that in future. I have thought of bait - so far I have only had two raptors in the garden - one was a sparrowhawk which broke its neck on the conservatory window, and a peregrine falcon which chased a bird into a shrub - unsuccessfully. It must have stood facing me for at least 30 secs, before it took off, but this was before the Nikon, and the Powershot was not to hand  . I do remember a hawk of some sort flying at hedge height through the garden at very high speed - it had gone before I could blink!I will try the bait - it will be would be interesting to see the result. There's all sorts in my neck of the woods - apart from kites,kestrels,and sparrowhawks, the ravens, crows,jackdaws, would descend wholesale and clear up the bait before the kites got a sniff! Not to mention cats..... I will have to sit and wait, and shoo off the unwanted visitors. Your kite and blackbird is a beaut. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Many thanks for those kind words, and I appreciate your work on the photo which is extremely helpful.Which program do you use? I am Mac based these days (although I still have a windows PC laptop). I use MacBook with a Photoshop monthly subscription for most of my editing but I also use an iPad for quick stuff (like your image) with a free programme called Affinity Photo. In many ways it’s the equal of Photoshop for basic editing but the menus and commands take some getting use to…when you have been weaned and brought up on PHShp. It’s a bit like going to Sony camera menus after years using Nikons. Yes your photo was about 0.8stop over exposed (according to Affinity) but that’s nothing for modern software to resolve. What’s important is understanding why its overexposed…and checking if the camera has a recurring exposure issue. You will recall your early posted photos were set at -0.7 exp compensation. If you didn’t reset the camera when you purchased it and didn’t make that adjustment yourself, it MIGHT be the previous owner found the camera overexposed and set the exp compensation rather than having it checked out? But there’s also the more obvious reason…a lot of dominant backlit foliage around the kite. It maybe that simply the metering system adjusted exposure for the ”majority”. The classic scenario of light subject/dark background….where you need to tell it to concentrate more on the subject. Yes you can make the adjustments in exposure compensation but the other option is to change metering mode from the normal Mattrix (that you are using) to maybe Centre weighted or even (given the size of the bird in the frame) Spot metering. This just tells the camera to stop considering and averaging everything in the frame and consider a central area or spot area only ….to better meter/expose the subject. Appologies if I am running on about something you already know…it’s difficult to gauge/moderate advice remotely. I can’t recall if NX has Levels (basic exposure adjuster) control? That’s all I effectively did with your Kite so it might have been possible in NX. It’s amazing how much sharper images will look by just getting the histogram right first! I believe there are 4 golden rules (someone else will tell me if there’s more lol) to processing your captures. 1) Shoot in uncompressed Raw file format rather than JPEG. This way you capture everything as shot without the camera interfering in what is effectively in old money ….the “film development” 2) Adjust exposure first….Sharpening last (ie only sharpen once you have finished all your other refinements. 3) Save finished master files as uncompressed files NOT jpeg. By all means make a jpeg copy for distribution or display. 4) NEVER open a saved jpeg…work on it some more …and resave it as a jpeg again. Each time you save as a jpeg, the algorithm “throws away” similar tones/colours to compress the file (even on best setting, some is lost). If you open up a jpeg thats already been “pruned”, when you resave it again the algorithm looks for more ”pruning”….and you gradually lose dynamic range. Just opening and resaving without even working on the file, will still systematically degrade an image! Thx about my image….it wasn’t so beaut with a slice of pink luncheon meat drawing the eye. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Eric wrote:I am Mac based these days (although I still have a windows PC laptop). I use MacBook with a Photoshop monthly subscription for most of my editing but I also use an iPad for quick stuff (like your image) with a free programme called Affinity Photo. NX studio only works with RAW images as I have learned. I have 2 cards, one for RAW and the other for the jpg files. I did select RAW as the default so I could edit the images - the files are massive! Exposure: on previous advice from yourself, I have been careful to keep an eye on the ISO settings, and any exposure compensation has been kept to zero. The shot was taken just after noon,and as the verandah faces just west of south, the sun was pretty much overhead. I looked at the file data and spot metering was selected. ISO was at 640 so that probably explains the overexposure. Aperture f8, shutter 1/250. What I do remember is that I did not have the lens hood on, although I did have a UV filter fitted.(for what it's worth). I intended to play around with the image in NX Studio, but I was sucked into finding why the Transfer 2 program insists in locating the files from the camera in Onedrive. Good ol' Windows - what a p.i.t.a.- I delete Onedrive , and Windows updates reinstalls the blighter!! I think I have sorted it any way. I still have the .NEF files - I export the images as jpg anyway - which is why you found the resolution low - I think. I play with the images in the .NEF format- most of the tools aren't available for jpg images. I'm looking forward to receiving my Kenko x1.4 converter |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:NX studio only works with RAW images as I have learned. I have 2 cards, one for RAW and the other for the jpg files. I did select RAW as the default so I could edit the images - the files are massive! Grappling with new equipment can be a steep learning curve but it sounds like you are getting there. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Caught the kite with some quick-draw shooting - overcast sky - a little tweaking ........ Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data Had a shot at the moon just to see how it turned out.......some cloud but not in this one......  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Caught the kite with some quick-draw shooting - overcast sky - a little tweaking ........ That lens is working much better for you. It's always difficult getting birds in flight on dull days. You almost need to lift exposure compensation by +2stops !! I am sure Jeff won't mind me saying that he rarely takes his wildlife photos in anything but good light....or at least the ones he shows us. However frustrating and tempting it is sometimes you just have to say "not today". Working commercially outdoors I learnt this lesson the hard way. Your work is always lacklustre when you try to make do with poor available light. One of the reasons I didn't do wedding!!!!! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Juvenile Swallow waiting for a stopover meal. Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Caught the kite with some quick-draw shooting - overcast sky - a little tweaking ........ Bob there is enough detail in that kite shot! You just need to up the exposure compensation by +3!! Boost the contrast a little to offset the washout from 3x exposure lift, and then add a little tint to the resulting burnt out sky…  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Eric wrote:That lens is working much better for you. Yes - I am getting better. Itook the moon shot to find out how the camera would deal with that scenario. I was amazed at the detail. I see what you mean.I should have used spot metering, not centre weighted even set at 8mm dia. I tried altering the exposure in NX Studio and achieved a similar result. My images are in RAW format and I export them as .jpg. I have yet to discover how to make selective adjustments to the background as you have done. I will now go away and find out! Incidentally, the teleconverter I ordered from Clifton Cameras is on back order( they emailed me). It didn't stop them taking the money though!! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Yes - I am getting better. Itook the moon shot to find out how the camera would deal with that scenario. I was amazed at the detail. It never does! You should try the moon tonight….NOW in fact. NX is just a raw converting, global adjustment file management programme which doesn’t have the ability to make selection areas. You need to move the file to an “editing” software programme or app that allows you to make and adjust selectively. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Eric wrote:It never does! I missed the boat for the red moon  Never mind, I spent a few minutes with another of the kite shots taken at the same time, and also one of the moonshots. The sky in the kite shot is not quite right, and I have over adjusted the exposure. But I am learning ( it says here) Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data There is a tool called Color Control Point which allows selection of the colour at a particular point in the picture - you can define the size of the area to be modified - and this allows modification of the colour. I would have expected a layer tool, but thinking about it, the number of layers would be large...... |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:I missed the boat for the red moon Ok I heard of that…didn’t realise it could be that area specific. Thought it looked for the specific colour you selected, everywhere on the image and changed them in whatever way you decide. But if you can (for example) select the grey in the sky and not grab the grey of the Kites head then it sounds good. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Meanwhile....there were the remains of a pigeon on the garage apron this morning, still relatively intact. i thought.......murphy's law will dictate that a red kite will land on it before I can get the camera etc. However,this morning was a Dirty Harry day --- I was lucky -- not a kite but a sparrowhawk -probably the one that killed the pigeon and the others whose feathers were along the lane. Making the coffee, I was looking out of the window --  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data In the next shot, she is in the process of moving the meal. After I had taken these, my wife told me a red kite had been circling above....  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data They're not brilliant - but once again shooting from the hip |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Meanwhile....there were the remains of a pigeon on the garage apron this morning, still relatively intact. i thought.......murphy's law will dictate that a red kite will land on it before I can get the camera etc. Well caught Bob. She is a lovely bird. I know what it’s like in these “quick grab the camera moments” …settings go out of the window to some extent. That’s why I have a custom setting for birds, ready for those moments, with the optimum fstop, shutter speed and iso set to auto. At the risk of labouring the point, (hope you don’t mind) your choice of settings could have improved the image a lot more. If you look at the exif below, 1. The shutter speed should be faster, even for a supposedly static bird. They still twitch their heads all the time! I think 1/500 is the slowest for a bird …especially hand holding a 500mm lens. 2. You have the aperture set at f22. That’s far too small and IQ will have dropped off. Using f11 would be better and give you 2 stops for a faster shutter speed at the same ISO. 3. I may be misreading the exposure compensation bias but it looks like +0.6. That should be 0 …or -0.6 if it was your intention to avoid over exposure. The image is slightly over exposed.  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data As mentioned before, you can “pull it back” by increasing the black 10-15% which gives it more punch. (See below) Won’t help the pigeon though Anyway…nice catch….well done, keep them coming  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Meant to ask…..did the kite come down to the kill site afterwards? They often do if it’s in a position they feel safe approaching. If not ….a few feathers stuck to some sliced meat, better positioned for the kite to approach might be worth a try. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Thanks Eric. Settings- I only looked at them after I had taken the shots.... thanks for the tips. They had been set for the Feathered Gothic shots ( see Spiders) with the 90mm Tamron in the shower roomI didn't carry out any editing apart from with the the noise reduction method which I set to Better Quality 2013. The other option are Faster ( default) and Better Quality. I will have to pay more attention to the post shoot exposure setting. She eventually dragged the remains out of my line of vision- I was standing at my front door when I took the shots. I found the corpse later - a few metres away. She had concentrated on the heart, and opened the crop, which was full of large seeds! I looked the next day, and only a few feathers and what looked like a sternum remained. Might have been the kite, but just as likely to be a fox, rat, or any other scavenger. Nature has no problems with refuse collection,eh? When I have finished rebuilding the greenhouse, I will make a concerted effort to lure a kite into the back garden |
|||||||||
Bob
|
re exposure compensation, both NX Studio and Darktable -which I have just downloaded- show 0 exposure compensation. having said that I looked again at the uncropped shot, and the whites in the pigeon feathers are obviously over exposed. Does this point to an issue with the metering in the camera? Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Sorry Bob…I am wrong! After all these years I finally learnt what exposure bias value = 0/6 means!!!! Thanks to AI. 6 = 0 exposure compensation.  Click here to comment on this image. Click here for EXIF data I never knew that! We live and learn. So you are right there is no exposure comp on the original image and there must be another reason for the slight over exposure in the image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
There might be a slight overexposure on the camera. It could be worth adding -0.3 exposure comp for a few frames to see if you get better results. Or even do some exposure auto bracketing -0.6 > -0.3 < 0.0. (Not paying for film anymore!!!) After a session shooting a range of subjects with 3 shots of each you will, I am sure, form a view whether the camera is over metering or not. Whatever the issue may or may not be…it’s not that significant. You are getting some good results now with the combinations you have. It’s really down to just getting use to the equipment and honing your settings choice. Look forward to seeing more photos. You can start a new build /greenhouse thread you know. |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Phew. That's very useful to know. As you can see from the EXIF, I use aperture priority, but I can manually select the ISO value. I also use spot metering, which I assume meters the area in the focus symbol.I have found that the ISO setting can lead to over or under exposure - so it could be that. I will try bracketing just to see how it works. Have you used Darktable? |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
I use Darktable all the time, but they recently upgraded it and all my familiar controls have changed, moved of both! I also use GIMP a lot for simple resizing / cropping / saving to other formats - it can also do mods to the image. I usually shoot in manual mode because I want to be able to control depth of field with the aperture/distance bearing in mind the sharpness of the lens which usually maxes out around f5.6 - f8 and shutter speed- I leave ISO on auto but keep an eye on it so it doesn't stray too high! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Bob wrote:Phew. That's very useful to know. As you can see from the EXIF, I use aperture priority, but I can manually select the ISO value. I also use spot metering, which I assume meters the area in the focus symbol.I have found that the ISO setting can lead to over or under exposure - so it could be that. Also, the f22 may have contributed. |
|||||||||
jk
|
@Bob, If you are in UK shooting then during the day ISO 400-800 should be good most of the time for static stuff, for birds ISO 1600-3200 is better. Sunsets and the like you may want to adjust to suit. Try and use f5.6 to f11 unless shooting macro when you might (note might) want to use f22 but then you might also reveal dust spots on the sensor! Shutter speed is more about creative control, how juddery/jittery you are, and your subject. Birds have a natural jitter so I use one step up in shutter speed when I shoot them! AutoISO is not the friend it may seem to be!!! I shoot either Aperture Priority or Manual all the time. However it is about how you prefer to shoot. With mirrorless cameras what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) but with DSLR it is a bit more tricky. With mirrorless always set up EVF so you use WYSIWYG, unless shooting with flash. Then use EV compensation so it looks right in EVF, this does NOT work if you are using flash. Shoot RAW and adjust image to perfection on your computer in your chosen software. If I had to use GIMP then I would probably be dead already due to frustration. ChrisB uses it as there are few other options on Linux but on Mac or Windows there are loads of good softwares that are much more capable. If you dont mind paying a subscription (I do, but still pay Adobe for the use of my Lightroom Classic v14.5.1 and Photoshop CC 2025). There are equally good other programs but learning a software is time consuming so I pay the money. Practice makes perfect and makes you feel more competent and at ease in most shooting situations! |
|||||||||
Bob
|
Thanks to all for your advice and tips. Generally I think I have a similar mindset regarding aperture priorities, and the RAW format. My aim, being an optimist, is to take the photographs, and not have to b.......r about with them afterwards. I think making use of the bracketing facility is the next step to sorting out the exposure issues. However, I will take the plunge, and experiment on gash photos with the tools in Darktable and NX Studio, and see if I can learn anything...... |
|||||||||
Current theme is Modern editor
| A small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondslr.uk Thank you. |