Phu Vo
October 2025 - Start Building Nets
Original
About the Image(s)
Tech Info: Speed 1/1000s f/8 ISO 400. Taken with converted (full spectrum) Canon 40D, standard filter 720nm, lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM in High Island, Galveston, Texas. High Island is one of few locations in Texas where photographers can take bird photography (in action), mainly white Egrets and Spoolbills. Peak season is from the middle of March to April each year. This picture was a "test" to convince myself that IR can be used in action photography. Post processing in LrC and Ps.
5 comments posted
Great 'catch', Phu Vo. You caught some nice motion. It is a bit confusing though. My suggestion would be to eliminate the extraneous grasses on the back end. At first I thought its wing was broken. I love the way its legs are almost down emphasizing 'take-off'.
Posted: 10/06/2025 19:53:02
Posted: 10/06/2025 19:53:02
You can certainly do anything in infrared, but if you are going to use it, I'd like to see why. This is a typical shot of a flying bird, but I could have done this without infrared. Can you explain the benefit? Or are you just experimenting? The head of the bird is a bit blown out and is that another bird off the wing that Debbie thought was grass? Posted: 10/06/2025 20:22:31
You said "certainly do anything in IR" but you asked me "why". My answer is "why not?" Why we have to limit ourselves? I've also shot bird photography, researched on many sites related to this subject; however, I've not found any sites said IR should not be used for flying bird. If you know any site, please share with me. I've viewed previous rounds of this group, I've not seen any IR "action" photo? Why? 90% of photos are landscapes, few portraits and macro. No IR night photography! People said IR gave "false" colors, that is why many people don't like IR but I do. Moreover, non-converted cameras are not friendly use in many fields of photography even with landscape. Due to "false" colors, from one original IR photo, I could make several different final versions. Posted: 10/10/2025 18:19:34
(Group 10)
Phu, I totally agree with your reply. IR adds a new dimension to photography at any level. Posted: 10/25/2025 14:54:08
Well done Phu, a great capture. Like Lauren, I initially though why IR? That's just because I'm very used to seeing landscapes in IR, where the effect is the greatest, particularly in foliage. A friend of mine wants to go into our subway system and shoot some IR photos there. I asked him why IR? His answer was "IR is just another form of B&W. Thinking about it, he's very right. Which brings me back to your image here, as you said to Lauren "Why not?" This is a great image, well worth aiming for. I do agree with Debbie though, that extraneous grass at the back of the bird, below its wing is not beneficial or important to the image and raises more concerns than is necessary. I think it should go. Posted: 10/26/2025 11:35:02