Birds at the Zoo

[Manta]

Some bird shots from today's Australia Zoo visit.

Comments and critique very welcome.

A bit boring but I like Kookaburras!


Pied Imperial Pigeon


Eclectus Parrot

[avkomp]

nice background on the Kooka,

probably needs a little more DOF, just started to blow the whites on the forehead, not too bad though and easily fixed. That small part of most kookas blows if you arent careful. generally cant use more than -2 or -1.66 ev fill

quite like the lighting on the pigeon looks nice against the greenery.

eclectus would stand out better without the background, but not much you can do about that because that is where they live

steve

[BBJ]

Simon, nice shots of some birdies there looks like you had a good time.

[Manta]

nice background on the Kooka,

probably needs a little more DOF, just started to blow the whites on the forehead, not too bad though and easily fixed. That small part of most kookas blows if you arent careful. generally cant use more than -2 or -1.66 ev fill

quite like the lighting on the pigeon looks nice against the greenery.

eclectus would stand out better without the background, but not much you can do about that because that is where they live

steve

Thanks Steve - I'll keep those things in mind next time. Didn't even think of knocking down the EV...

I desaturated the background on the eclectus by a few degrees but I didn't want to muck with the shot too much. As you say, there wasn't much I could do with it's positioning plus I was already on tiptoe on top of a fence rail t get somewhere near eye level with the bird.

[Manta]

Simon, nice shots of some birdies there looks like you had a good time.

Sure did John - thanks for your comments.

[avkomp]

the good thing about kookas is that they will tend to sit there and let you photograph them.

until you get a feel for the amount of fill, you can chimp a few shots with the highlights screen selected. They dont look that white but that area is and blows most times.

Steve

[mudder]

Gotta say I like that Kooka shot, something about the "low key" feel gives the image a more menacing or moody feel yet you've still got good eye detail...

Love the new avatar too!

[Finch]

Simon,

Glad you managed to get to Aussie Zoo - weather was just perfect for you.

Kooka shot is my favourite and eye is nice and sharp. Unfortunately, on my screen at least, Eclectus male is a tad dark and blends into background. As Steve said, not much you can do with background.

Cheers

Michael

[Manta]

Thanks Andrew - it does look quite menacing. Alfred Hitchcock-ish?

Cheers Michael.

[big pix]

Eclectus: have a play with Lab colour to brighten colours and to lift the subject from background........

[Manta]

Thanks Bernie - had a go at that but will try a bit more extreme.

[big pix]

had a little play using Lab Colour and Shadow highlight filter......

[Manta]

Nice one Bernie.

[ABG]

Great photo of the kooka Simon. As Andrew has already said, it has a lovely moody feel. (The photo you disgusting, filthy perverts, with your fingers twitching at the keyboard )