Woodpecker photos

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Keith Talbot

great shots chris and great a great lesson in photoshoping graham,

graham,which version of photoshop are you using?

its something im sure we all wish we were better at using,i never seem to find the time to sit a play (and learn)

CS3 Keith. I did nothing that couldn't be done on earlier versions though.

[Jon]

Nice shots, the re-post show detail better. A simple trick for your log, drill holes down one side and mount the post on a stake tat can easily be uprooted so you can turn you log accordingly to get optimal lighting.
Also consider drilling holes down one side and also directly opposite on the other, then according to day time put your peanuts/lard etc in the most suited holes.
Always check your Histogram, fill to the right but don't blow the highlights. It is also often worthwhile using a little fill in flash. This helps bring out detail in the darker plumage. Hope this helps
Jon

[Keith Talbot]

Originally Posted by glsammy

CS3 Keith. I did nothing that couldn't be done on earlier versions though.

cheers graham,

ive got the first cs, time to start learning i think

[colincurry]

Keith

I like your shots, and the set-up you have created. No woodpeckers in my garden, I am afraid.

Graham

I also like what you have done to the picture to complete the photographing and development stages. I do similar things to my snaps using CS3. You mention masking. Is this easy to do; and can you then use the Neat Image plug-in to process the picture? I only have the free download version and this will only work as a plug in on part of the pic. What I currently do is save as a jpeg, run the whole snap through Neat Image and the sharpen the result of this. I find this does help to reduce noise on the background, but it obviously has an effect on the subject where noise may not be a problem.

Taking the picture is a constant learning curve; leavened by the occasional success. CS3 is a similar process. I do have Martin Evening's book but it is very daunting and presumes quite a high level of knowledge perhaps gleaned from using earlier versions of PS.

A word to the wise would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Colin

Colin

[Ed Tyler]

Nice shots Chris, you have inspired me to try a similar setup in my garden so will be looking out for decent logs now.

Just out of curiosity what food do you fill the drilled holes with ????

I did notice that your shots were taken at 400mm at f5.6, which will give you a shallower depth of field. I personally would try to close the aperture a little just to give you that extra depth of field in the image. I know this will give you a slower shutter speed but I think it may be worth ago.

Graham did some nice work on the images, I'm just setting out and trying to get my head around all this post processing but as you can see it is definately worth the time to get better images.

Well done to you both !!!

Ed

[DaiTheDragon]

Graham, how is it you can modify someone else's photograph and re-upload it in their name when ordinary members can't.

Dai

[Chris Hawes]

Thanks everyone for all the comments and input - much appreciated. I haven't been able to get back and try some more shots since these first efforts, but hopefully I'll find some time this week.

Ed - the food I used was peanuts - I have a row of holes drilled down each side of the trunk, much like Jon suggests in his post, as well as a small feeder attached at the back.

[Ed Tyler]

Thanks Chris

Ed