Found this little fellow at a local lake. Gave me a quick opportunity before it was off.
D850
500 f/4 AF-S II + 1.4x tc HH
ISO 800
f/6.3
1/4000
Processed in C1. Sharpened and ran some NR in PS. Also, ran a levels adjustment on the bird and toned down the water in PS. Still a little unsettled on the crop. All critiques welcome.
Nice detail in the Killdeer, Lyle. I’d be inclined to take some of the out of focus grass off the bottom and add more lake on the top. That large oof area is a bit too much of a blob. There’s a small dark blue area just above the grass and below the bird’s breast that has the look of a processing artifact, though it could be natural. A very nice pose.
You have a great angle for this bird… I agree about 2/3 of the bottom.
Good idea on the crop. I think that is the best direction to take it. I didn’t see that spot in front of the bird until now. I haven’t cloned anything. I’d guess it’s some dark grass.
Very pleasing light and detail. I like the pose. I also see what appears to be a processing defect just below the head at the grass/skyline.
I also feel about half of the foreground could be removed.
I would echo the crop suggestions. Nice detail and angle on this guy!
