Howard Frank

June 2025 - Booted Raquet-tail hummingbird
About the Image(s)
Booted Raquet-tail hummingbird coming in for a drink
I made this image at the Tandayapa Birding Lodge in Ecuador. We were using multiple strobes to freeze motion. Taken with my Nikon D800 and 80 to 400 lens at f/16, ISO 200 at 1/200 sec. Processed with DxO Pure Raw 5 and Lightroom.
Howard
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
Allen Kurth
This is a great shot. I see a few processing problems. There is a posterization problem in the background that was likely caused by your software. I doubt that it is in your original raw file. Is the problem still there if you make a jpg with less compression? I would recommend that you clone out all but one of the highlights in the eye. I would also reduce the brightness of the flowers a bit.   Posted: 06/11/2025 12:48:12
Howard Frank
thanks for your thoughts.   Posted: 06/25/2025 10:25:33
James Nelson
The small, sharp catchlights do give away that multiple flashes were used. Some people might see this a negative for the image. The background banding does distract from the overall impression. I have used DxO software and have not seen compression related issues. You might check your LR export settings to see if they are part of the issue.   Posted: 06/17/2025 15:45:48
Howard Frank
I didn't notice the banding on the smaller version of this image. I processed this long ago and will have to look at it again.   Posted: 06/25/2025 10:27:28
(Group 3)
In addition to the advice above, Consider burning the highlights in both the flower and the belly.
FWIW, it's not really allowed to clone out anything in a nature image (including catchlights), but the new rules also state that it is not permitted to attract an animal with food for the purpose of photography. At the lodges, they always have feeders out so it can be argued that the feeding is routine and for the benefit of the birds, and you simply took advantage to set up your photo shoot. The rule is worded specifically to encourage that explanation, IMHO. But I mention it in case you were not aware of the situation.
Lillian   Posted: 06/19/2025 15:54:16
FWIW, it's not really allowed to clone out anything in a nature image (including catchlights), but the new rules also state that it is not permitted to attract an animal with food for the purpose of photography. At the lodges, they always have feeders out so it can be argued that the feeding is routine and for the benefit of the birds, and you simply took advantage to set up your photo shoot. The rule is worded specifically to encourage that explanation, IMHO. But I mention it in case you were not aware of the situation.
Lillian   Posted: 06/19/2025 15:54:16
Howard Frank
Thanks Lillian. you always have great advise.   Posted: 06/25/2025 10:28:30
Cool. Great image. Agree with the banding issues above.   Posted: 06/25/2025 10:13:34
For the shutter speed you mentioned, its a great BIF capture. All the above comments add value too.   Posted: 06/27/2025 03:07:17