What is wrong with this image please
- Thread starter canuck257
- Start date
singlerosa_RIP
Senior Member
It needs some PP work. Maybe a boost on shadows, clarity and sharpening. Backlighting's a bitch. 
Other than that, you're shooting at the long end of a lens that's not noted for sharpness at the long end...... If I had to give one bit of advice, it would be to crank up the shutter speed.
Other than that, you're shooting at the long end of a lens that's not noted for sharpness at the long end...... If I had to give one bit of advice, it would be to crank up the shutter speed.
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canuck257
Senior Member
I did try some extensive pp in Lightroom but I could not get it sharp. Adjusted white and black thresholds per the histogram plus highlights and shadows. Tried sharpening and noise reduction and did lens correction but could not get a non "grainy" acceptable image. I have produced other shots with this lens at 600mm that have been very sharp so I don't think it's the lens. This Osprey was quite close so I don't think focus is an issue as I had a good "lock". It's very frustrating.
There is room for improvement at the level of detail and sharpness but it's hard to show since the JPEG already suffered sharpening artifacts. I only increase them when trying to process the shot.
You can tweak the image more but not in LR. You have to go PS or a similar editor.
You can tweak the image more but not in LR. You have to go PS or a similar editor.
canuck257
Senior Member
This is a sequence that I shot today and processed in Lightroom. They have had shadows, highlights, white and black thresholds set. A touch of clarity and vibrance. Then a little work with tone curve and lens correction adjustment. Finally, detail sharpening and noise reduction. When I examine them at 1:1 they still appear soft. Are there any further steps that I can take in LR to improve this or is it just a product of high ISO or softness of the lens that I have to live with. On stationary targets I get exceptional sharpness so I do not think the lens is at fault.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'm no wildlife shooter but I do know keeping the shutter speed at one-and-half to two times the focal length is critical to getting consistently sharp shots; it's a "rule of thumb" I adhere to slavishly when I'm shooting a DX body. Yes, I know... This is going to drive your ISO way beyond the ISO280 those shots were taken at but here's the thing: Noise you can clean up in post processing; a shot with motion blur is a whoooole nuther story. You might be able to open your aperture a bit from that f/8 you're using as well too help compensate.
One other possibility... The latest version of Photoshop has a "Motion Blur" filter you can try; though I've found it's a bit hit-or-miss, when it does "hit" it can do miraculous things. If LR has the filter, it's definitely worth trying.
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One other possibility... The latest version of Photoshop has a "Motion Blur" filter you can try; though I've found it's a bit hit-or-miss, when it does "hit" it can do miraculous things. If LR has the filter, it's definitely worth trying.
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canuck257
Senior Member
Thank you for the input. I figured a shutter speed of 1:1250 would be fast enough and f8 is the sharpest aperture on this lens. I will try higher shutter speeds and see if subject motion blur is the problem. LR 6, which is what I have does not have the Motion Blur filter, Adobe only issued it for LR CC.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Well just for fun I took what I thought was one of your less sharp shots from your post and "corrected" it using the Shake Reduction filter (that's the correct name for the filter I was talking about earlier). At the default setting I thought the effect was a little too strong so I opened a new adjustment layer, used the Shake Reduction filter again and then reduced the opacity of the adjustment layer to 80%; no other adjustments were made. Here's what I got for my effort...
Your Original:
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With Shake Reduction:
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Definitely go for a higher shutter speed to start with. Freezing motion can be tough @ 600mm when there's so many movement factors at play outside of your already moving subject. Maybe try ISO 400-800 and a shutter speed in excess of 1/2500 just to see if that helps you out. What kind of focus tracking are you using also, AF-C D9?
canuck257
Senior Member
Thanks Paul, a definite improvement. Did you use PS for that or LR CC. It would seem I do need a faster shutter!
canuck257
Senior Member
I'm using BBF (D7100) and AF-C D9. The improvement Paul made above with a shake reduction filter certainly seems to indicate a faster shutter speed which will be my next step.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'm a Photoshop sorta guy; I don't really know Jack about Lightroom. Upping the Contrast a little helped the image as well I think, though you don't see that in my post because I wanted you to see the difference the Shake Reduction filter made all by itself.
And yeah, based on that one image I'd say upping your shutter speed should be Step One on your path to getting sharper shots. Keep in mind when you magnify the image with a tele' you're also magnifying everything else. Things that soften your image like mirror slap or tiny vibrations transmitted from your body you're not even aware of or able to control.
Minimum shutter speed = focal length x 2... Learn it. Live it. Love it.
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