In the last few weeks, there have been a number of military jet flyovers to support our healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. While we’re never in the direct flight path, we still always go outside to look for the jets. Nate gets excited at even the smallest glimpse. On this particular day, I got out my old Canon camera, the only one with a sufficiently long lens, and went out in the backyard to wait. I got a quick shot of an F-16, which isn’t a bad silhouette photo. While I was waiting for the planes, though, I turned my camera to my bird feeder, where an intrepid woodpecker was checking things out. He was super close and unafraid, and this became my favorite image of the week.
Downy Woodpecker
Canon EOS 7D, Canon EF 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM at 300 mm, f/7.1 at 1/500, ISO 400
Digital Darkroom. I started with the usual kinds of adjustments. I boosted exposure (+0.8) and contrast (+11), lowered highlights, and raised shadows (13 each). I added a touch of vibrance (+12) to bring out the red patch on the back of its head. This particular lens is definitely “consumer-grade”, and is the least sharp arrow in my photographic quiver of lenses. I tried to compensate by brushing over the bird, adding texture (+19), and clarity (+39). I finished the image with some general sharpening.
WIRR stands for Weekly Image Rich Ruh. This regular feature on Das Has von Ruh will show and describe my favorite photo created during this weekly period. My weeks start on Mondays, as does the WIRR. I’m hoping to include commentary on the story, the setting, the specs, or the sentiments, depending on the circumstances.
Das Haus von Ruh 