Sta.Cruz & Subic - Aug.16-18'08

[tina mallari]

Spent the long weekend birding in Sta.Cruz and Subic

Here are a few of my captures...

Brahminy Kite

40D + EF 400mm f/5.6L, 1/1000, f/10, ISO 640 hand held

Rufous Coucal

40D + EF 400mm f/5.6L, 1/20, f/5.6, ISO 640 hand held

Philippine Coucal

40D + EF 400mm f/5.6L, 1/160, f/5.6, ISO 640 hand held

White-Throated Kingfisher

40D + EF 400mm f/5.6L, 1/40, f/5.6, ISO 800 hand held

complete gallery of photos from this sortie

action shots taken in Sta. Cruz, Zambales

[mantarey]

Wow, great set once again. The WTK is the best for me, catching it while feeding makes it over the top for such a beautiful image. I noticed the high ISO setting, did you use Noise Reduction software on these images or just you're just "shooting from the right" , they're very clean. Very fine work to say the least.

[Romy Ocon]

Whether it's Rufous or White-morph, you're definitely a Coucal goddess, Plain Idol!

[tina mallari]

Thanks a lot Rey. No noise reduction software for all the images. For #4, I did a "little" magic cleaning.

I have never used any noise reduction software or plug in with my images coz I tried using them and I can't seem to get the hang of it Noise reduction software seem to remove not only noise but a lot of important details on the photos too.

Since I am not able to take very sharp images due to the fact that most of the time I do not use a tripod or a monopod, I need all the details I can get from a photo.

I do enjoy experimenting with photoshop a lot and play with the different tools and that's about it.

[Teddy Regpala]

Yey!
Kite's are meant to fly. And likes the WTK the most from this series.

Ok now, you guys better share some "magic tricks" too. ;D

[Ding Carpio]

Aug 20, 2008 11:46:58 GMT tina mallari said:

Thanks a lot Rey. No noise reduction software for all the images. For #4, I did a "little" magic cleaning.

I have never used any noise reduction software or plug in with my images coz I tried using them and I can't seem to get the hang of it Noise reduction software seem to remove not only

The bird-magnet strikes again! And a Rufous Coucal at that!

Which NR have you tried? I use Neat Image on all my photos and happy with it. The default settings do take away lots of details and I usually have to fumble with the various settings. In the end, I'd have to combine it with some layering and masking and transparency adjustment.

[Ralf Nabong]

Congratulations Ms. Tina! Great set

I like the exposure and color and exposure of the 3rd & 4th photos.

[Mark Itol]

Very nice captures, Maam Tina!

[Bob Kaufman]

What an excellent harvest, Tina!

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

Nice catch on the brahminy Tina, The Rufous C are always diffcult to get good exposure on because they move alot and stay in the shadow, thus 1/20 at handheld with ISO 640 is no easy task to get relatively sharp image. Incredible!
Chito

[Neon Rosell II]

Tina - Great timing on the fighting or should I say the food grabbing brhaminy kites!!

The eye contact on the serpent eagle was awesome!!

[raymondjbarlow]

really nice captures Tina, well done!

[tina mallari]

Thanks a lot Ted, Ding, Bong, Mark, Bob, Chito, Neon and Ray. Really appreciate the kind remarks

Ding: I tried using neat image before and just got so frustrated with it so never tried it again. Tried another one, but forgot the name of the software, and I wasn't happy with the outcome again so I decided not to use any of them anymore.

Chito: You said it... The rufous coucal is a very frustrating bird to photograph. It's always in the really dark sections of the forest PLUS it moves a lot pa. One day, I really hope to take sharp photos of it. I will try again this weekend ;D

Neon:
re: Brahminy Kites - Wish I were a little closer though. They looked like dots on the uncropped photos. HehEHehEHehE.

re: Phil. Serpent Eagle - That bird stayed to pose for about 30 minutes until it finally decided to fly - It's a pity that I clipped part of it's wings when it was finally in flight.

Thanks again guys