Deer Pic (C&C please!)

[R99]

Hi Guys,

Still practising with my 450D. Went out with the dogs today and stumbled across some wild deer just lounging about.

Quickly slapped the Sigma 70-300mm lens on (crappy quality IMO) so I could get a close enough picture.

Here was the result:



I've cropped, touched up & coverted to B&W here:



I had no tripod, so was having to hold steady so I didnt scare them off, but not as sharp as I wanted TBH. Any thoughts on some PS work that might tidy it up further?

Thanks all!

[Japveesix]

Cannock chase by any chance?

Lucky to have got so close to them when you had dogs with you. Nice pic, won't offer any advice/criticism as I have no idea what I'm talking about

[R99]

Thanks mate,

Nope Dallam Hall near Kendal. The deer were on the opposite side of a river, so I dont think they were too phased by the dogs.

My parents keept hold of the dogs whilst I went off to take pictures though!.

[RobDickinson]

Tis a nice pic and looks OK websized as PH shrinks it.

ISO 320
1/400th
300mm
f5.6

Looks like you have some softness induced from hand shake and from shooting the lens at its poorest setting, 300mm and f5.6, next time try stopping down a touch even if you need to bump the ISO up a touch more. Also try practice good hand hold steady technique, elbows in breath out etc.

Did you shoot it raw? It could do with some more contrast and a bit more sharpening will tart it up nicely.

Composition wise it looks good.

[R99]

RobDickinson said:

Tis a nice pic and looks OK websized as PH shrinks it.

ISO 320
1/400th
300mm
f5.6

Looks like you have some softness induced from hand shake and from shooting the lens at its poorest setting, 300mm and f5.6, next time try stopping down a touch even if you need to bump the ISO up a touch more. Also try practice good hand hold steady technique, elbows in breath out etc.

Did you shoot it raw? It could do with some more contrast and a bit more sharpening will tart it up nicely.

Composition wise it looks good.

Thanks for the feedback, always nice to recieve help!

I didnt/dont shoot RAW, its something I need to do I think...

I was shaking a little, because its one of those moments when you are trying your best to get a great shot and the more you concentrate the more you start to shake!

Practice is the only option I think!

[Scott330ci]

Could be sharpened a tad as suggested. Its a shame you didn't get the deer looking at you.

Its a good start. There isn't a lot wrong with the glass you have. I agree that they aren't the best of quality (I have a cheapy tamron zoom) but nothing that a bit of ps cannot sort.

[R99]

Scott330ci said:

Could be sharpened a tad as suggested. Its a shame you didn't get the deer looking at you.

Its a good start. There isn't a lot wrong with the glass you have. I agree that they aren't the best of quality (I have a cheapy tamron zoom) but nothing that a bit of ps cannot sort.

Thanks!

I tried for ages to get a shot of them looking straight down the lens, but they just were not co-operating!

I dont have any PS software as such, is there an easy way of sharpening the photo up at all?

[Scott330ci]

R99 said:

Scott330ci said:

Could be sharpened a tad as suggested. Its a shame you didn't get the deer looking at you.

Its a good start. There isn't a lot wrong with the glass you have. I agree that they aren't the best of quality (I have a cheapy tamron zoom) but nothing that a bit of ps cannot sort.

Thanks!

I tried for ages to get a shot of them looking straight down the lens, but they just were not co-operating!

I dont have any PS software as such, is there an easy way of sharpening the photo up at all?

You can always download a 30 day free trial from adobe.co.uk.

Clap or shout loudly. Should get a split second stare before they run

[RobDickinson]

You should have canons DPP that comes with the camera, or you could use picasa 3 which has an OK quick editing option.

More theres paint.net or gimp which will help too.

[4hero]

Nice shot, certainly not easy beasts to photograph.

I had a little play in lightroom, mainly adjusting the blacks, vibrance, and sharpness a touch.





Apologies about the size

[R99]

Thanks for the software suggestions guys!

4hero - that looks great! Puts my B&W efforts to shame!!

[RobDickinson]

Once you get a little experience in processing it helps an awful lot. Always moer to learn but theres a definate plan a work through for exposure curve (contrast/black levels/leves adjust type stuff) then colour (vibrance etc), then sharpening.


I usualy do noise reduction first tho many do it last, not sure whats best...

[paul911]

RobDickinson said:

I usualy do noise reduction first tho many do it last, not sure whats best...

That’s interesting Rob. Some PP introduces noise (with me anyhoo) so make it my last option after a sharpen. (But then again I’m crap at PP so what do I know, lol). Might give it a go your way and see.

[RobDickinson]

paul911 said:

RobDickinson said:

I usualy do noise reduction first tho many do it last, not sure whats best...

That’s interesting Rob. Some PP introduces noise (with me anyhoo) so make it my last option after a sharpen. (But then again I’m crap at PP so what do I know, lol). Might give it a go your way and see.

Yeah I understand that but i've calibrated my camera with NN and it seems to work best first, even if you introduce a bit of noise pping with exposure adjustments you have less to start with to exagerate. I do do it sometimes just before sharpening tho.