Black-shouldered Kite

Black-shouldered Kite (Image ID 70234)
Photographed byAravind Jayaraman on Sun 23rd Feb, 2025 and uploaded on Sun 17th Aug, 2025 .
Resolution1800x1200
Viewed409
ID70234
CommentThis BSK was sitting with its face to the sun and I think that the light burned some of the details from the wings. I tried to get them back using Lightroom but could only manage some of it. Can the experts help me with some technique to get the details?
EquipmentExposure time : 1 / 2000
FNumber : 6.3
Focal Length : 450
ISO Speed Ratings : 400
LensModel : 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
Make : NIKON CORPORATION
Model : NIKON D500
Software : Adobe Lightroom 8.4 (Macintosh)
LocationCuppits Lane, Richmond, New South Wales
Keywordsadult, behaviour/display
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Keith Lightbody2025-08-17 17:38:39Rather than try to recover limited details in post processing I would suggest waiting for more direct sunlight on the birds wings and chest. You may need - 1/3 or -2/3 exposure compensation to avoid the whites being overexposed. It appears your current photo only has direct sunlight on one side of the bird. Cheers, Keith
Aravind Jayaraman2025-08-23 16:00:02--That is true Keith, it was close to mid day when we landed at the spot. And we wanted to avoid the background clutter. But will definitely take the feedback on reducing the exposure by at least a third next time in similar situation.
Glenn Pure2025-08-20 09:33:28Could you outline what steps you took to try and recover the whites? It will help when providing comments (which may be delayed as I'm currently away).
Aravind Jayaraman2025-08-23 16:01:15--I tried using lightroom, selective masking and playing with the parameters to recover some of the info. Again, a novice when it comes to Lightroom and happy to take any recommendations :)
Glenn Pure2025-08-27 09:08:19The problem is often at the RAW development stage, assuming you are taking your shots in RAW format (which is invariably recommended). Moving the 'whites' slider will often recover missing detail in blown white areas. If you start editing the photo before doing this, any missing detail will largely remain missing in any part of the photo. Give it a try and see whether that helps. You will still need to edit the resulting photo normally in Lightroom after the RAW conversion to get it looking natural.
Glenn Pure2025-08-28 23:54:33I should have added that this type of adjustment and how to make it is covered in a video tutorial called 'Do camera lie?' in the Resources section of the BLP website.
ApertureFNumber COMPUTED f/6.3
Make IFD0 NIKON CORPORATION
Model IFD0 NIKON D500
Software IFD0 Adobe Lightroom 8.4 (Macintosh)
ExposureTime EXIF 1/2000
FNumber EXIF F6.3
ExposureProgram EXIF Manual
ISOSpeedRatings EXIF 400
DateTimeOriginal EXIF 2025:02:23 09:16:35
ShutterSpeedValue (APEX 10.965784) EXIF 1/2000
ApertureValue (APEX 5.310704) EXIF F6
ExposureBiasValue EXIF 0
MaxApertureValue (APEX 5.2) EXIF F6
MeteringMode EXIF CenterWeightedAverage
LightSource EXIF unknown
Flash EXIF Flash did not fire.
FocalLength EXIF 450mm
ExposureMode EXIF Manual Exposure
WhiteBalance EXIF Automatic White Balance
LensModel EXIF 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
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