Summer Goldcrest

Andreas Liedmann · Jan 15, 2025

DxO PureRAW 4

Hi all ... something " tricky " how to present the image , numerous ways to do so . Talking about creating depth and overall " pleasing tones and colors " , not to forget to eliminate potential distractions .
I left everything in the frame ... tried to create some depth with tone and colors , as the original capture was quite flat due to the lighting.

Canon EOS R 6 II
EF 500 IS L II + 2x TC
Monopod

F 9 ; Iso 12.800 ; 1/ 2000 sec

Processed with PR 4 ; Darktable 5.0 and PSCC 2025 beta ; cropped for comp

THX for looking and commenting to my previous threads

Cheers Andreas

Jonathan Ashton · Jan 15, 2025

I like your imaginative lighting Andreas, the Goldcrest is pin sharp bill to tail, colours look spot on.
Returning to the lighting, now this is where we see things differently but the bright greens look a little gharish (i.e. bold/bright), the transition along the branches is perhaps a little exagerated... I mean from bright to relatively dark, a relatively minor issue perhaps?.
A most imaginative image and I like it. You have got me thinking

Andreas Liedmann · Jan 16, 2025

THX for your feedback Jon .. much appreciated .
Would agree about the " harsh transitions " between bright and darker BG ... that is coming from my two stage editing to get tonal and color variations in the BG . I just amplified the differences ... basically it was there .
Yes the younger parts of the branches are looking kinda electric , compared to the older ones .... quite realistic to me. Only thing I might do .. is lowering the sat a touch .

Cheers Andreas

Andreas Liedmann · Jan 16, 2025

Jonathan Ashton said:
A most imaginative image and I like it. You have got me thinking

You can think Jon ... but if you do it , do it with confidence .
IMHO ... you have to leave the path of "edit as seen in capture " .

Daniel Cadieux · Jan 19, 2025

I'm liking this a lot Andreas! Subject tilted towards us is neat. I love the many spruce branches and the vibrant yellows / greens. Nicely done!!

Andreas Liedmann · Jan 23, 2025

THX Dan ...

James Babbitt · Jan 25, 2025

Nice image of a bird I would like to see and photograph some day. I realize that the new growth on the spruce is brighter than the old, but it is rather startling it is so distinct here. The bright BG around the bird does not bother me; it rather "pops" the bird as you wanted.