Sharpening settings for bird photography

[phil146]

I enjoy bird photography, both still and in-flight and have been using Nikon NX2 for processing.  I want to move to Affinity Photo and I'm trying to become more skilled with it.  Wondering what others use as settings to do final sharpening?  Just revisited the Sharpening and Frequency Separation videos to refresh my memory about options.  I use a Nikon D7100, and mainly an 80-200 f/2.8 and a 300mm f/4 lenses.  I appreciate any suggestions or examples.

Phil

[Kodiak]

•

 

 

When proper light is available, I will count more on a

correct exposure and fast & accurate focus to shoot.

These two, by them selves, are enough arguments for

me not to sharpen in post.

 

However, when the light is on the dull side of life, to

the first two I spoke of, I may add a touch of sharpe-

ning to cheer it up… but just a tad as nothing looks

more clumsy that over sharpening.

 

On your side, to help you in this, you might add BBF,

M mode + floating ISO where you have full control over

DoF and SS always considering CF to follow accurately.

 

More than that, I carry a four leaf clover on my keyring!

 

Good Luck!

[phil146]

Kodiak,

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'm used to applying a sharpening step with NX2 so Affinity must be different.  My images do look sharp even before I try a sharpening step with Photo. I understand everything that you mentioned except BBF.  Not sure what that is.

[Kodiak]

I understand everything that you mentioned except BBF.  Not sure what that is.

•

 

Hi Phil,

 

BBF = back button focus.

 

I just want to mention the most negative side effect of sharpening.

Sharpening will increase significantly the aspect of the "grain" in

any photograph when

1. ​the ISO was set higher in given light conditions and/or
2. when already some low light recovery was applied.

I see as bad practice to give supplementary vitamins to a healthy child

that has an already a good diet. So, if your shots "look sharp even be-

fore I try a sharpening step", then resist it. DRL and WB do far more

for the necessary end quality of a rendition then sharpening will… in

most cases anyways!

 

The following example is a 100% crop of a take shot yesterday at

ISO 540, 1/500s. ƒ8, estimated distance +/- 90 meters with my usual

600mƒ4 on D810 combo.

 

This is a picture I would not consider applying sharpening to.

 

 

Have a good time!

[phil146]

Kodiak.  That's a beautiful shot of a swan-thank you for sharing that.  Getting the image right in the camera is the ideal way to go, and I try to minimize sharpening my images in post.   Yes, switched to back button focus 2 years ago-like it much better.  I find I'm kind of addicted to shooting birds-I enjoy the challenge.  I appreciate your suggestions.

[jer]

...

 

This is a picture I would not consider applying sharpening to.

 

I love the way you caught the swan "framing" your shot with the wings! Patience and timing, no doubt.

[Kodiak]

I love the way you caught the swan "framing" your shot with the wings! Patience and timing, no doubt.

•

 

Honestly? Nope, you are granting me to much merit!

 

This take is the result of my presence, readiness, and an

acute sense of opportunity for the situations Mother Nature

will present me. I could not have planned a shot like that

and wait for it.

 

As I tag myself as a light (image) hunter, I really do "hunt"

my images and I rarely go hunting for something specific

if not on assignment.

 

Like that day when these four legged invaders scared away

all the birds at the marsh… as I was left with nothing else

to shoot, I shot the deers! Good luck to anyone who would

go there to see deers… even being armed with patience!