Bufflehead - Male


Posted by LHays on Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:12 am

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These guys gave me fits.....both to shoot and to work with in PS. I made 2 trips to the fish hatchery just to get them. It would take the better part of an hour just to get close enough to shoot from the car. Even then, they were constantly on the move and diving while staying in a tight group of 16. They also stayed close to the opposite shoreline. Finally, after two days, one of the two males came over fairly close and I got this shot.

I have worked this one several times in PS and this is the best that I could come up with. It was cropped slightly all around. I pretty much fried the whites on the first day and overcompensated for that on the second day

Sorry that I haven't posted much lately but I've been out of town for 3 days and teaching is keeping me too busy. I'll try to get some comments in before leaving for Bosque tomorrow.

Canon 1D, 500mmL IS, 2X TC, shot from car window
ISO 320, 1/1600, f/11, EV - 1 1/3 (changed to -2/3 in RAW)
Photoshop - cropped, USM, curves, etc.
Lana Hays
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by Jim Urbach on Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:43 am
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Lana,

Your hard work paid off. You captured the lovely iridescent sheen and over the shoulder look. Much better than anything I have. Hope Bosque is productive.

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by Cliff Beittel on Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:47 am
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Incredible irridescense, lovely whites, and excellent overall.
 

by Jim Zipp on Mon Nov 24, 2003 6:51 am
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Well it looks like your work has paid off! Both your capture and post processing are excellent as that colorful sheen is not always visable. Good work.
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by ajhand on Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:51 am
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Lana:

I know how hard it is to get this close to a bufflehead...I have never done it. Very nice job on the irridescence in the head. Is it just me, or do the whites in the body look a bit gray? I tried lightening them up just a bit in PS and I think it helps.

aj
 

by DC on Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:18 am
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Great work Lana, both pre- and post-shot. That sheen is gorgeous, well done.
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by AlexC on Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:27 am
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Rainbow Head!!!
Well Margolo, your are capturing them well and cooking them even better!!
Who said an old dog can't learn new tricks ? !! :wink:
Excellent !!!! 8)
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by Greg Downing on Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:50 am
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Wow Lana! This is excellent! :shock:
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by E.J. Peiker on Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:16 am
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You did pretty well - these are among the very toughest ducks to expose properly and to process in PS. The photo is excellent.
 

by Alan Murphy on Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:17 am
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Great shot lana. Have a great and productive trip.
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by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:22 am
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Beautiful iridescence, Lana. Have fun at Bosque.
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by Bill Whala on Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:51 am
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Excellent shot Lana. Great colors. The PS work looks good here. Have a safe trip and I hope to see you there Friday. :)
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by fredcor on Mon Nov 24, 2003 11:04 am
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:D Yep, very difficult birds to shoot, they are constantly on the move; nevertheless you have managed to make a terrific photo.

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by Jill on Mon Nov 24, 2003 11:16 am
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Totally fantastic image, Lana !!! I've never seen the irridescence in the head until this moment!! Way to persevere at the hatchery! Good light and great fun at Bosque!! :wink: 8)
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by Alan Melle on Mon Nov 24, 2003 12:50 pm
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Nice catch! You caught the iridescence beautifully. What a handsome devil!
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Mon Nov 24, 2003 1:15 pm
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Lana,

You did a great job with this guy. The iridescence couldn't be better. Have a great trip.
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by Neil Solomon on Mon Nov 24, 2003 1:28 pm
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I don't think I've ever seen the iridescence either. This is a wonderful shot. Good job on the post-processing too.
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by Wil Hershberger on Mon Nov 24, 2003 1:38 pm
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Gorgeous shot Lana. You really hit the angle for the iridescence.
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by Bruce Sherman on Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:14 pm
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Lana,
The iridescence is beautiful. Your patience definitely was rewarded.
 

by Ken Newcombe on Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:24 pm
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Lana,

The iridescence is the best I have seen on a Buffle, an essential part of the image. The side seems a bit gray, did you selectively darken it?
 

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