Just some more practice shots. I hurried the red-bellied woodpecker because I knew he wouldn’t stay around very long.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/paulk_68/_MG_3218.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/paulk_68/_MG_3212.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/paulk_68/_MG_3197.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/paulk_68/_MG_3200.jpg

Well the background/noise issue is much better.

The subjects don't look as sharp as they did before. I'm guessing a lower ISO and lower shutter speed? If so, take note of the SS as it may be below your threshold for handholding the combo.

Or perhaps the noise reduction is cranked too high which affects the sharpness too.

Thanks for replying Loupey, I'm pretty sure the lack of sharpness is due to the noise reduction. I could see the images loosing sharpness when the noise reduction filter was being applied... it's a balancing act. :)

I'll try the filter at a lower level next time.

I think of the 4, I like the titmouse the best here...I like the pose. :)

Thanks for replying Loupey, I'm pretty sure the lack of sharpness is due to the noise reduction. I could see the images loosing sharpness when the noise reduction filter was being applied... it's a balancing act. :)

I'll try the filter at a lower level next time.

Hi Copy.

You can mask the foreground into another layer and apply the noise reduction only on the background - that should solve the sharpness problem. There are so many small details in the foreground that it probably doesn't need NR anyway.

Thank you Emily and Erik.

Erik, that is an excellent idea, I'll do it the next time I process an image.