Nature Northern Shrike

**dirwood** · 12-07-2021, 06:39 AM - **1 Like**

This is cropped from the camera no other processing done. It was a cloudy day taking this photo. Taken handheld at the full reach of the lens.

Attached Images

Martin Stu · 12-07-2021, 07:16 AM

good shot

**dirwood** · 12-07-2021, 07:46 AM

I feel it can improve...but not sure if it should be in post processing or just better settings with the camera. I tried a few things with luminous 3 but just couldnt get it to what I would like. Maybe I am cropping it to much?

Martin Stu · 12-07-2021, 07:59 AM

in my opinion, leave it as it is... good picture

5ks · 12-07-2021, 08:15 AM

All I can suggest is to try different amounts of sharpening and/or clarity (to increase microcontrast). Perhaps also some more vibrance to add color? (I'm using Lightroom terminology.) But you might have tried already?

**dirwood** · 12-07-2021, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by 5ks

All I can suggest is to try different amounts of sharpening and/or clarity (to increase microcontrast). Perhaps also some more vibrance to add color? (I'm using Lightroom terminology.) But you might have tried already?

I tried the clarity option Luminous 3 (free version) has but I just wasn't liking how it was looking. I'm horrible at post processing and no matter how much practice I try, I just can't seem to find what I like. I did have a free version of lightroom awhile back that seemed to do ok but its now a monthly subscription. I also tried the Topaz Sharpen software. It made it slightly better but not as good as I think it can be. Maybe more than 1 software should be used?

shyrsio · 12-07-2021, 05:47 PM

with these tones it really captures the idea of cold. well done!

**angkymac** · 12-07-2021, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by shyrsio

with these tones it really captures the idea of cold. well done!

+1 to what shyrsio said.
I think you must have a pretty steady hand to make it as sharp as it is.
Angky.

VictorDA · 12-08-2021, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by dirwood

I feel it can improve...

It's a nice shot, but I would suggest to leave a litlle bit more room around the bird, especially at its front (left and top sides). I would also add some slight vignette to bring the viewer's focus on the bird.
Contrast and detail are a bit low due to the weather conditions (and high ISO and heavy crop, and handheld at 450mm: many adverse factors), like you said. The only remedy I see to that is possibility to try a black and white version, where you could then push contrast further. I'm not 100% convinced it will work, but might be worth a try.

**dirwood** · 12-08-2021, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by victordeamorin

It's a nice shot, but I would suggest to leave a litlle bit more room around the bird, especially at its front (left and top sides). I would also add some slight vignette to bring the viewer's focus on the bird.
Contrast and detail are a bit low due to the weather conditions (and high ISO and heavy crop, and handheld at 450mm: many adverse factors), like you said. The only remedy I see to that is possibility to try a black and white version, where you could then push contrast further. I'm not 100% convinced it will work, but might be worth a try.

Thanks, I can crop it less which was part of what I was thinking to do. I'll try out the black and white option to see how that looks. It was cold and really windy that day. I need to find a good pair of gloves to use with the camera.

**dneira29** · 12-08-2021, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by dirwood

This is cropped from the camera no other processing done. It was a cloudy day taking this photo. Taken handheld at the full reach of the lens.

nice shot!

WileyB · 12-09-2021, 05:33 PM

Again, I really like the surprisingly (for such a little guy) intimidating over-the-shoulder gaze to the camera :-D

**dirwood** · 12-09-2021, 07:21 PM

Here is the un-cropped picture.

12-07-2021, 06:39 AM - 1 Like	#1
dirwood Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lockport, New York Posts: 302	Northern Shrike Lens: HD 150-450 Camera: K-70 Photo Location: Outside ISO: 2500 Shutter Speed: 1/1250s Aperture: F7.1 This is cropped from the camera no other processing done. It was a cloudy day taking this photo. Taken handheld at the full reach of the lens. Attached Images

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12-07-2021, 07:16 AM	#2
Martin Stu Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,115	good shot

12-07-2021, 07:46 AM	#3
dirwood Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lockport, New York Posts: 302 Original Poster	I feel it can improve...but not sure if it should be in post processing or just better settings with the camera. I tried a few things with luminous 3 but just couldnt get it to what I would like. Maybe I am cropping it to much?

12-07-2021, 07:59 AM	#4
Martin Stu Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,115	in my opinion, leave it as it is... good picture

12-07-2021, 08:15 AM	#5
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	All I can suggest is to try different amounts of sharpening and/or clarity (to increase microcontrast). Perhaps also some more vibrance to add color? (I'm using Lightroom terminology.) But you might have tried already?

12-07-2021, 08:29 AM	#6
dirwood Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lockport, New York Posts: 302 Original Poster	Originally posted by 5ks All I can suggest is to try different amounts of sharpening and/or clarity (to increase microcontrast). Perhaps also some more vibrance to add color? (I'm using Lightroom terminology.) But you might have tried already? I tried the clarity option Luminous 3 (free version) has but I just wasn't liking how it was looking. I'm horrible at post processing and no matter how much practice I try, I just can't seem to find what I like. I did have a free version of lightroom awhile back that seemed to do ok but its now a monthly subscription. I also tried the Topaz Sharpen software. It made it slightly better but not as good as I think it can be. Maybe more than 1 software should be used?

12-07-2021, 05:47 PM	#7
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	with these tones it really captures the idea of cold. well done!

12-07-2021, 09:58 PM	#8
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,962	Originally posted by shyrsio with these tones it really captures the idea of cold. well done! +1 to what shyrsio said. I think you must have a pretty steady hand to make it as sharp as it is. Angky.

12-08-2021, 01:13 AM	#9
VictorDA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lyon area, France Posts: 718	Originally posted by dirwood I feel it can improve... It's a nice shot, but I would suggest to leave a litlle bit more room around the bird, especially at its front (left and top sides). I would also add some slight vignette to bring the viewer's focus on the bird. Contrast and detail are a bit low due to the weather conditions (and high ISO and heavy crop, and handheld at 450mm: many adverse factors), like you said. The only remedy I see to that is possibility to try a black and white version, where you could then push contrast further. I'm not 100% convinced it will work, but might be worth a try.

12-08-2021, 04:37 AM	#10
dirwood Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lockport, New York Posts: 302 Original Poster	Originally posted by victordeamorin It's a nice shot, but I would suggest to leave a litlle bit more room around the bird, especially at its front (left and top sides). I would also add some slight vignette to bring the viewer's focus on the bird. Contrast and detail are a bit low due to the weather conditions (and high ISO and heavy crop, and handheld at 450mm: many adverse factors), like you said. The only remedy I see to that is possibility to try a black and white version, where you could then push contrast further. I'm not 100% convinced it will work, but might be worth a try. Thanks, I can crop it less which was part of what I was thinking to do. I'll try out the black and white option to see how that looks. It was cold and really windy that day. I need to find a good pair of gloves to use with the camera.

12-08-2021, 09:29 PM	#11
dneira29 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 535	Originally posted by dirwood This is cropped from the camera no other processing done. It was a cloudy day taking this photo. Taken handheld at the full reach of the lens. nice shot!

12-09-2021, 05:33 PM	#12
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441	Again, I really like the surprisingly (for such a little guy) intimidating over-the-shoulder gaze to the camera :-D