4 Finches up close

[Scottes]

They were simply swarming SuperFeeder when I got home. I counted 13 American Goldfinches and a House Finch at the same time. So of course I had to take some shots...

Canon 100-400 L IS @ 400mm with a 36mm extension tube at ISO 800, from about 7 feet away.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/AmericanGoldenFinch_7901.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/AmericanGoldenFinch_7909.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Finch_7808.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Finch_7906.jpg


Yeah, ISO 800. Before and after, 100% crops:

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/FinchCompareISO800.jpg

Some might think it's a lot of work to retain this detail while removing all the noise. But after running 6 or 7 images through the process I've found it to be quite quick. Especially since I found that I don't have to be as picky as I was. Now I create an edge mask from a duplicated channel, blur, select color range and delete anything white to dark gray, then use levels to get the edges back to black. Apply NR and I'm done.

I wondered how long it took me since I can easily lose track of time when buried in Photoshop. So I timed myself on all 4 images above. I took the image already processed in C1, did all the noise reduction stuff, saved a sharpened 400 DPI 4x6 for print, then created the web images above. The first one took me 8 minutes, the last took 6. I think that I could cut those times in half if I created an action.

[Ballen Photo]

They were simply swarming SuperFeeder when I got home. I counted 13 American Goldfinches and a House Finch at the same time. So of course I had to take some shots...

Canon 100-400 L IS @ 400mm with a 36mm extension tube at ISO 800, from about 7 feet away.


I like these, and the fact that they were shot at iso 800. Nice. :D
........Bruce

[csondagar]

These are very good photo and I love your PS work. Was surprised to learn that you spent less then 10 mins to PS them. I usually take hours and quality never comes out as good. I take I have a long way to go with PS.

[SWPhotoImaging]

I am amazed that the image on the left could be turned into the one on the right.

I need some Photoshop training.

[Haste]

Love picture 1, and great PS work 8)

[CyberDyneSystems]

These are beautifull! :)

I love "Superfeeder"

[PacAce]

Very, very nice, Scott. And the finches are perfectly exposed, too! Everytime I take a picture of the gold finches, I inadvertentaly end up over exposing some part of the finches yellow feathers. :(
And most of the time, the finches are so small in the frame that I won't know this until I see it on the computer monitor.

Good job. And the color saturation is "right on", too. :D

[Scottes]

OK, I'm going to see what I can do about spending some time this weekend to do an Edge Mask tutorial or two. They are great for both sharpening and noise reduction. And they don't take that long once you get used to it.


CDS: I'll have to get a picture of SuperFeeder occupied by the masses. I just need to remember to bring out a wide-angle lens. When I walked the dog this morning SuperFeeder was the breakfast meeting place for 4 grackles, 3 blue jays, 2 mourning doves, 3 goldfinches and a house finch - all at the same time. It's a lively place.

[Scottes]

Everytime I take a picture of the gold finches, I inadvertentaly end up over exposing some part of the finches yellow feathers. :(

Well you'd think that I could get it right after 300 shots of them. I've learned to go Evaluative -1 EC on them - bright sun or not. Even still, there's no real detail on their backs, and not much in the black. They're definitely 6-stop birds.

[cmM]

very nice pictures of the little finches !

I haven't seen any around my feeder... I guess I should put some food in there, huh :P ?

[OviV]

Great pictures Scottes. Have you ever posted picture of superfeeder? If not would love to see some, if you have point me to them.

[Scottes]

Great pictures Scottes. Have you ever posted picture of superfeeder? If not would love to see some, if you have point me to them.

Thanks.

I haven't posted SuperFeeder yet, but was actually hoping to take a pic tonight.

Don't get your hopes up - there's not much to look at. Then again, with 14 birds on it at once maybe I just don't see what they see. :)

It's also going to get a new pole this weekend. It seems that squirrels chew wood. So I'm going to try a steel pole this time. That should slow them down.

[Dooglla]

Wow...such great shots. Really like them all...and the lens too. :D

[JZaun]

Excellent pic's Scottes, I guess I gotta go out again, I still need the RWB and now a decent goldfinch shot.. I can't catch you now :D

JZ

[Scottes]

Hey Jerry I *still* don't have a picture of a cardinal. I've got 4 regulars here - Momma and Papa along with Nick and Tony the teenagers. Not a single pic.
:(

How's your squirrel war doing?

[eastcoast909]

Superb! Your shots are always astounding. I haven't had time to do all that you suggested to me as work is hectic now. Thanks anyway for all your help.

[JZaun]

Hey Jerry I *still* don't have a picture of a cardinal. I've got 4 regulars here - Momma and Papa along with Nick and Tony the teenagers. Not a single pic.
:(

How's your squirrel war doing?

I am winning my squirrel war. Tthey gave up on the feeder. It seems they get enough on the ground now and the nuts are getting ripe for their picking :D I have several huge trees that normally feed them and they are going for that...
JZ

[PhotosGuy]

#1 looks as if he's waiting for you to get the shot! Very nice! The new 'set' is really doing it's job! :lol:

Curious - did you add a touch of green to the 2nd crop? I'm looking forward to the tutorial. :)