OK, read my first tutorial about quick masking and noise reduction made simple. Hope it helps.
Essentially, you want to mask (cover) the bird so it does not smooth out its plumage when you reduce the noise in the background. You may also want to mask (using a small brush) some of the foliage directly around the bird, the bit its hanging onto and the flower buds. It's a good trick, but need to be careful with masking as it may end up looking very washed out allover, except the bird.
quick thread hijack Akos I saw your post above and have looked at your tutorials and website generally
mind you I did get distracted by the Gallery - Australian Birds especially the Yellow-billed Spoonbill (I don't have these yet) but then I saw the Painted Buttonquail (that pic is excellent)
I need to start using Photoshop and therefore your permission to use your tutorials would be appreciated
Beautiful shot M-L. Love the way it is hanging from the flower! I have also read Akos' tutorials and they're very useful. Perhaps you could teach us all how to get close to our subjects. You seem to have better stalking skills than I do.
This is one of the best photos I have seen from you M-L in my opinion, with or without NR it is simply wonderful. Love the composition and colour as well.
Thank you Owen, that's great to know I could make a difference.
Peter, by all means, that's the purpose of the tutorials. Just read and learn. If you have any constructive feedback, I would love to hear it (this goes for anybody BTW).
Beautiful shot M-L. Love the way it is hanging from the flower! I have also read Akos' tutorials and they're very useful. Perhaps you could teach us all how to get close to our subjects. You seem to have better stalking skills than I do.
Lesson one, sneaking up:
How to sneak up on birds. There is no secret to it. Here is how I do it. Usually it takes a few days, (or longer?) to get to know the birds behaviour. No camera required , only observations like where , when and what. You will learn where they go to feed, or do all the other things that particular species does. What time of the day etc. You are half way there now, all you have to do now is practice your sneaking technique. Easy, you know now where the bird is most likely to appear. You wait in that spot, when the bird turns up, it most certainly will, because you have seen it in that place before, YOU DO NOT MOVE. Because you have observed the bird for a while, you can be one step ahead. You anticipate what the bird will do next. You slowly sneak closer, when the bird turns the back towards you, (even birds don’t have eyes in the back of their heads), or when the bird is covered by leaves. Move as little as possible, wear soft shoes that make none or very little noise. I try to breath calmly the closer I get.
And if you don’t get a photo, because the bird flew off, you will have learned a valuable lesson for time. Have fun while you practice your “sneak ability”.
What can I say M-L .... that is a stunning shot!! Your composition is always flawless and you have the patience of a saint to get these kind of shots. Thanks for all the tips on how you get so close, and once again.....knowing especially how difficult it can be to get these tiny birds ..... congratulations on such a beautiful shot
enjoy.
excellent pic
and you get so close to your birds
Peter
THIS IS GORGEOUS Marie-Louise.
I need to share a few tips in noise reduction with you to make this into a KILLER shot!
You can share some secrets with me any time!
(I know this is serious business, but I'm in one of those funny moods. I could tell you what kind of sneakers to wear for noise reduction!)
M-L
LOL! You are a cracker Marie-Louise.
Do you happen to use Photoshop?
I have it, but haven't used it, have used PhotoScape before, but only to sharpen or brighten etc. nothing serious.
M-L
OK, read my first tutorial about quick masking and noise reduction made simple. Hope it helps.
Essentially, you want to mask (cover) the bird so it does not smooth out its plumage when you reduce the noise in the background. You may also want to mask (using a small brush) some of the foliage directly around the bird, the bit its hanging onto and the flower buds. It's a good trick, but need to be careful with masking as it may end up looking very washed out allover, except the bird.
http://amatteroflight.com/tutorials.html
There should be a simple noise reducting feature under the FILTERS menu in photoshop.
Thanks so much for that, I will do my best to understand it. I need some peace and quiet tonight.
M-L
Excellent shot M-L! Great detail and habitat.
To be honest Akos I learnt masking off your tutorial and now I use it often.
Cheers, Owen.
quick thread hijack Akos I saw your post above and have looked at your tutorials and website generally
mind you I did get distracted by the Gallery - Australian Birds especially the Yellow-billed Spoonbill (I don't have these yet) but then I saw the Painted Buttonquail (that pic is excellent)
I need to start using Photoshop and therefore your permission to use your tutorials would be appreciated
Peter
Beautiful shot M-L. Love the way it is hanging from the flower! I have also read Akos' tutorials and they're very useful. Perhaps you could teach us all how to get close to our subjects. You seem to have better stalking skills than I do.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
This is one of the best photos I have seen from you M-L in my opinion, with or without NR it is simply wonderful. Love the composition and colour as well.
Regards
Shane
This is truly amazing picture! Sneakability expert, what else can I say :)
Laurius
Thank you Owen, that's great to know I could make a difference.
Peter, by all means, that's the purpose of the tutorials. Just read and learn. If you have any constructive feedback, I would love to hear it (this goes for anybody BTW).
Thank you George as well.
Lesson one, sneaking up:
How to sneak up on birds. There is no secret to it. Here is how I do it. Usually it takes a few days, (or longer?) to get to know the birds behaviour. No camera required , only observations like where , when and what. You will learn where they go to feed, or do all the other things that particular species does. What time of the day etc. You are half way there now, all you have to do now is practice your sneaking technique. Easy, you know now where the bird is most likely to appear. You wait in that spot, when the bird turns up, it most certainly will, because you have seen it in that place before, YOU DO NOT MOVE. Because you have observed the bird for a while, you can be one step ahead. You anticipate what the bird will do next. You slowly sneak closer, when the bird turns the back towards you, (even birds don’t have eyes in the back of their heads), or when the bird is covered by leaves. Move as little as possible, wear soft shoes that make none or very little noise. I try to breath calmly the closer I get.
And if you don’t get a photo, because the bird flew off, you will have learned a valuable lesson for time. Have fun while you practice your “sneak ability”.
Have fun!!!
M-L
Brilliant !!! M-L. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the lesson M-L.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
What can I say M-L .... that is a stunning shot!! Your composition is always flawless and you have the patience of a saint to get these kind of shots. Thanks for all the tips on how you get so close, and once again.....knowing especially how difficult it can be to get these tiny birds ..... congratulations on such a beautiful shot
Sunshine Coast Queensland