[weaviemx5]

Hi guys,

I'm off to Centerparcs next week so have borrowed a Sigma 70-300 from a friend and got chance to try it out at lunchtime today. There are a few ponds near to where I work so I tried my luck at some hand-held shots;

1) Swan (HDR-ish )

I promise I didn't intend to take this as HDR but I've ended up combining a single raw file HDR image for the swan himself and the original non-HDR background. I've aso cropped the image slightly and added the light vignette border.

2) Young Seagull - Original

This is the original image with a slight colour boost/sharpening

3) Young Seagull - Edited

I've just had a bit of a play with this one by toning/softening the image slightly to give it a bit of an aged look. Not sure if I like the result 100% but I haven't had much chance to get any photos recently so it was good to try some new ideas.

Any feedback/suggestions appreciated. Both photos are at 300mm and handheld. All clickable back to Flickr.

Cheers
Steve

[dfrear]

Cracking shots, extremely sharp for handheld. I must scrape the cash together to grab one of those Sigma 70-300 APO DG lenses...

[weaviemx5]

Thanks, appreciate that

I wouldn't mind one myself......along with a Tamron 17-50, Sigma 10-20, 17-40L....it's funny how the list grows every day!

Cheers
Steve

[T0MAT01]

Nice shots, in fact for a lunchtime lens test... Very nice shots!!

I really like the original sea gull shot, I think it's spot on! Nice one.

[weaviemx5]

Cheers, I think I was lucky in that the seagull was comfy where he was so I didn't have to rush my shot!

Steve

[Alun]

nice pics, much prefer the original seagull to the B/W though.

Cheers,

Alun

[weaviemx5]

Thanks Alun, fair point. I don't normally get a lot of time to edit my images too heavily but thought I'd try this one out

Cheers
Steve

[dazza74]

Great shot of the swan.

[ghibbett]

Love #3 - it is like a modelling shoot for a seagull Really good

[Just call me Al]

1 & 2 are good. I like the colour seagul but don't like the BW one.

[weaviemx5]

Originally Posted by ghibbett

Love #3 - it is like a modelling shoot for a seagull Really good

Thanks! I'll let the seagull know that they're wanted in Milan

Cheers
Steve

[electrolyte]

Number 1 and 2 are great, especially 1. Love how the deep blue contrasts well with the orange beak of the swan. I don't really like how you've processed 3 though.

[weaviemx5]

Originally Posted by electrolyte

Love how the deep blue contrasts well with the orange beak of the swan.

Thanks. That's what I really like about it too.

Cheers
Steve