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This image was created on Eastern Island, Midway. Each group gets to spend one long day there. It is accessible only by boat. We went over on Thursday past. This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at -1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/13 set manually. |
Murphy’s Law of Nests…
Murphy’s Law of Nests states that all bird nests have at least once branch or stick too many. For the past 28 years, this law has proven true without exception…
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This is the original image. |
Try as I might by changing my perspective, I could not lose the ugly branch in the lower left corner. Many folks would opt to leave that branch saying that it was there, that it was part of the image. They would continue by saying that it is not a distraction. I am fine with that. For me, however, the branch is a huge distraction. My feelings are that the image with the stick is an image of a male Great Frigatebird sitting on the nest with it pouch inflated and that the image with the stick removed is an image of a male Great Frigatebird sitting on the nest with it pouch inflated…. The natural history of the situation has not been changed by the removal of the stick.
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This composite shows the lower left hand corner before the stick was dealt with (on our right, of course), and that same corner after the stick (and a bit of feather fluff) was removed (on the left). |
Combatting Murphy’s Law of Nests…
The offending stick was “removed” (actually covered) with a series of Quick Masks, probably more than 25 in all. Many of the Quick Masks had to be transformed and/or warped (so as to match the shape of the leaf where the Quick Mask was being placed). In addition I used the Clone Stamp Tool (often set at about 60% Opacity). I also used the Patch Tool usually to even out any repeat patterns caused either by the Clone Stamp Tool or more often by duplicating a Quick Mask Layer (one or more times). The basics of Quick Masking as well as the use of the Patch and the Clone Stamp Tools are described in detail in the recently updated version of Digital Basics. (Updates will continue to be free for as long as I am pushing the shutter button :)). Advanced Quick Masking techniques are detailed in Robert O’Toole’s APTATS I.
Optimizing the image took about 45 minutes. Was it worth it you ask? For me, the answer is a resounding, “Yes.” Frigatebird nests are often quite messy affairs and this was the cleanest nest that I have ever run across.
Shopper’s Guide
Below is a list of the gear that I used to create the images above. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.
Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. The very best professional digital camera body that I have ever used.
And from the BAA On-line Store:
Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod. This one will last you a lifetime.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
Double Bubble Leve.l You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am on a tripod and not using flash.
Delkin 32gb e-Film Pro Compact Flash Card. These high capacity cards are fast and dependable.
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I pack my 800 and tons of other gear in my ThinkTank Airport SecurityTM V2.0 rolling bag for all of my air travel and recommend the slightly smaller Airport InternationalTM V2.0 for most folks. These high capacity bags are well constructed and protect my gear when I have to gate check it on short-hops and puddle jumpers. Each will protect your gear just as well. By clicking on either link or the logo below, you will receive a free gear bag with each order over $50.
Becky, Thanks for the kind words.
You come into my glass house and toss a few bricks around. I am fine with that. Then I ask you a few simple questions. You ignore answering them. Then you claim that I demeaned you–I still don’t get that at all. I ask a simple question; you choose to ignore that one too, and then claim that all of it is “drivel.” You gotta love it.
OK….Arthur, I’m waiting to see your next great picture!
Artie, let’s stop this drivel. You are the greatest.
Becky, What did I say that you felt was demeaning? Please be specific. No more mis-quotes please 🙂
Artie – I was not in any way trying to demean you the way you are me.
In response to Becky’s 4/17 9:08 pm comment I wrote,
“Becky, Before I answer, I have a single question for you: have you ever removed any distracting element from an image, even a tiny thing? Anything other than a dust spot? Please think hard.”
Becky responded:
Of course, you know I have. And I too have spent 45 minutes to an hour in photoshop cleaning up a single image. I’m just reacting to your specific image on this post. For me, the removal of that branch is not a “make it or break it” distraction. For you it was, obviously
AM: I had assumed that you have removed some distracting elements from images but I just wanted to check and be sure…. I never said that the branch was make it or break it. It was, however, as I clearly stated, a distraction, one that I opted to remove. Now on to your original post:
BF: Artie, you say it’s the cleanest nest you’ve ever run across.
AM: The cleanest frigatebird nest.
BF: Then you remove a slight distraction to make it “perfect.”
AM: Again you are misquoting me 🙂 I never said that the final image was perfect. And one woman’s “slight” distraction is another man’s significant distraction.
BF: I sort of understand (perfectionism, that is), but what is your ultimate goal?
AM: My ultimate goal is to create an image that please me and hopefully others.
BF: Can you enter it in a contest?
AM: First off I do not consider the image in any form to have contest potential. IAC, I would not enter any image in a contest where the rules have been violated.
BF: Is it art?
AM: It seems a rather artistically pleasing image to me. To answer your question, however, we would first have to agree on what art is. Try this one on for size: are any of the Great Blue Heron images in your self-published book art?
BF: It seems no longer perfectly natural to me, because you’ve created perfection where it does not exist.
AM: I have lots of problems with the above. First off, you write, “It seems no longer perfectly natural to me…” I am fine with it not seeming perfectly natural to you. It seems perfectly natural to me. If you saw the final image you would never think that it looks unnatural. You are the one who started on the perfection tack… But my biggest problem is that in many of your comments here you are playing God….
BF: Personally, whether the stick is in or out, the impact of the frigatebird’s inflated red pouch is so mind-boggling that very little can distract from the bird.
AM: Thanks. The stick matters to me….
BF: It’s a great shot either way, and I’m very jealous.
AM: Thanks. I believe that the politically correct and preferable term is envious.
later and love, artie
Of course, you know I have. And I too have spent 45 minutes to an hour in photoshop cleaning up a single image. I’m just reacting to your specific image on this post. For me, the removal of that branch is not a “make it or break it” distraction. For you it was, obviously.
Becky, Before I answer, I have a single question for you: have you ever removed any distracting element from an image, even a tiny thing? Anything other than a dust spot? Please think hard.
Since CS5, I now try content aware fill first in these situations. Sometimes it works miracles, others it makes a mess. Often, though, it gets close enough to greatly simplify the touch up work. And you can apply it several times in succession to clean up residual smearing.
Tom, If Content Aware worked in that situation I would faint. Dead away….
Les, I will be doing a feature on what and how I pack when I get home. Remind me in a week if I have not posted it. The short answer is a LOT!
ps: Thanks for your kind words 🙂
Super picture! I’ d be stuck on the stick also, looks great with all the editing. Arthur, I may have missed it, when I looked at your Digital Basics info….is it compatable for Mac computers?
Artie, you say it’s the cleanest nest you’ve ever run across. Then you remove a slight distraction to make it “perfect.” I sort of understand (perfectionism, that is), but what is your ultimate goal? Can you enter it in a contest? Is it art? It seems no longer perfectly natural to me, because you’ve created perfection where it does not exist. Personally, whether the stick is in or out, the impact of the frigatebird’s inflated red pouch is so mind-boggling that very little can distract from the bird. It’s a great shot either way, and I’m very jealous.
Super nice clean up! I have little doubt that all of us Little Grasshoppers would like to see the CS5 history showing all of the QMs etc as a further teaching tool. I also have little doubt that if you made a DVD of the entire process explaining step by step showing all you did for 45 minutes that DVD – similar to one of Tim Grey’s DVDs – would sell for a similar price and I would be first in line to make the purchase.
I think you did a great job; agree with Denise – you cannot tell that you removed the stick or whatever that is that was under the stick.
Personally, I do not find the stick a distraction (it is simply part of the nest) – the Great Frigatebird capture is so Great! – I did not notice the stick until you brought it up as part of this exercise. I do acknowledge that the cleaned image does, after the fact, present cleaner.
TFS this exercise – when is the DVD available? 🙂
You are an inspiration, Arthur Morris. Bless your heart.
Happy lunch and dinner Jack! And thanks for your kind words. later and love, artie
Nice clean up Artie, I can’t even tell it was ever there.