Speed Challenge 27

[FocusingOnFlorida]

OK, It rained all day and will be raining all day tomorrow. :-\

I did a search on my laptop and found this one that could really use some help. I used the 75-300 IS USM. My first mistake was being lazy and letting the camera pick the settings. :-[ The lens is also a bit soft in many circumstances. I have since picked up the 70-200 f/4 and the 400mm prime.

The rules are quite simple. Show me what you would have done to fix this picture if it had been you. I will limit it to two enteries per person. I will have to end this one on Tuesday December 27th. If y'all decide it needs to be extended due to the Holidays, let me know.

Here is a smaller version and a link to the larger version.



http://focusingonflorida.com/Images/IMG_9211_1500.jpg

Have fun.

[dc2]

This is going to be more difficult than it suggests if the compression changes it to much.
But heres my first attempt

[dc2]

And my 2nd

[ohenry]

Here's my 2 variations

First was done using standard levels, curves, shadow/highlight, sharpening




and this one was done using LAB adjustments (and a crop)

[kris10]

Just a couple of quick one's.* I wanted to see the bird so I cropped it a lot.* That's just what I would have done though if it was mine.* Is this a type of Egret?* We have the Great White Egrets around here.* Too bad I don't have a lens big enough to get a close enough shot...yet!*

Color Version:



Black & White Version:

[scoundrel1728]

Here is my first attempt:

Major crop,
Run through Focus Magic deconvolution software,
Removal of low-end pedestal for each of three colors to increase contrast in shadows and to reduce blue cast, plus an additional slight reduction of the blue channel gamma,
Reduction in size with a second (light) sharpen

[scoundrel1728]

Version 2: same as version 1 but with runner in front of bird cloned out. (This alteration would most likely be considered unethical if the image were submitted to a nature magazine.)

[Paul Shields]

Hmm, a tricky subject... Here are a couple of efforts - mostly using the levels and grad tints.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Ohenry.

I liked the crop and the way you were able to gain detail throughout the photo while maintaining the detail in the birds wing. I guess it was a rough time trying to do this over the Christmas Holidays. Thank you all for participating.

Have a Happy New Year.

[ohenry]

Thanks...now I need to find an interesting and challenging shot to work with. I'll have it up sometime today, I hope .... It's raining (STILL), so I may have to rely on archives.