Small Guy or Big Stalk?

[Brian Sump]

• Brian Sump Photography

In my time with the Lazuli Buntings I was fortunate to call this guy over to a Mullein plant hoping he'd perch on top.

When he landed on the side I ripped off some shots. It wasn't until viewing in post that I realized how crazy this image was and how small these guys are. Mullein stalks are not super thick at all.

Note - this is one of the first images where I've notably changed some of my processing techniques. It will take me a while to get where I'm going but hopefully the care comes through.

R6
840mm
Handheld
ISO 4000
1/2500
f5.6

LR and PS. Evicted a second catchlight but tried to leave everything natural as-shot.

 

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Brian,

I've never seen either the Mullein plant nor the Lazuli Bunting in real, so this comes over as a quite extraordinary image to me.

The Mullein is deeply weird - are these outgrowths on the stalk, or leaves or peeling bark?

I can never get used to seeing that bright, shocking blue of the Lazuli. An amazing little guy!

Thanks for sharing,

Gerald

 

[William Dickson]

Small Guy 'And' Big Stalk, and together they look good. I think you cropped it perfectly to get the best of both. Most of the time, the perch is just as 'important' as the bird, to make a good image. As is the BG. The detail on the perch, and decaying? look real good. Lovely pose and HA on the bird, great colours especially on the head. Nice one Brian. It comes together very well.

Will

 

[Brian Sump]

Hi Brian,

I've never seen either the Mullein plant nor the Lazuli Bunting in real, so this comes over as a quite extraordinary image to me.

The Mullein is deeply weird - are these outgrowths on the stalk, or leaves or peeling bark?

I can never get used to seeing that bright, shocking blue of the Lazuli. An amazing little guy!

Thanks for sharing,

Gerald

Gerald, I'm glad you enjoy these Buntings as much as I do. They are truly gorgeous in person with bright, iridescent heads!

The outgrowth is essentially leaves drooping off of the stalk. I hadn't seen one with quite this much drama before and I think it worked out nicely for this fella!

Small Guy 'And' Big Stalk, and together they look good. I think you cropped it perfectly to get the best of both. Most of the time, the perch is just as 'important' as the bird, to make a good image. As is the BG. The detail on the perch, and decaying? look real good. Lovely pose and HA on the bird, great colours especially on the head. Nice one Brian. It comes together very well.

Will

Always grateful for your feedback Will!

 

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hey Amigo ... what a lovely colorful little critter !!!
All does work very well for me .... specially the brightness is top notch this time in the subject !!!!
Nice overall sublime color and tones !!!
Would love to say ... this is my shot :t3:bg3:

Brilliant work from start to finish

TFS Andreas

 

[Daniel Cadieux]

That is a neat dried up mullein stalk indeed!! But of course, outdone by the subject! I find it a bit bright, maybe 1/2 stop or so? Still wish this was mine - what a great bird and you got it posing nicely in some good light. I love how it is perched on that small peeled leaf, very cool.