Wilson's Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted March 13, 201090 views17 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC. Monopod, kneeling.

1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400. Aperture priority, evaluative metering, -2/3 EC.

Crop to 75% (13.5 of 18MP)

Have been away from posting and commenting for a couple days for a trip south where I netted 2 great lifers: Green Kingfisher and Red-shouldered Hawk. This post is another from my trip in Feb.

I like the 3D feeling of this shot--the lead foot makes it feel like the bird is going to step right out of the frame. I think a slightly lower angle would look even better, although there may have been more vegetation obscuring the foot in that case. I also would like to have a little more room on the bottom, and a little more DOF for the back leg.

Comments and critiques appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 13, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Brian, You mentioned the same nits I might have picked (mostly the room on bottom), and I agrre what you said about the 3D feel of this shot! Vey nice light and exposure on this Wilson's.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 13, 2010 at 11:39 PM

I agree with your self-criticisms, Brian, but it's a very cool image. The -in-your-face feel of it is a lot of fun. Something about the angle almost makes it look like you used a wide angle lens.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on March 13, 2010 at 11:47 PM

You are pretty tough on yourself!

Your 3D feeling is felt from here.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 14, 2010 at 6:18 AM

Nice one Brian. Like the detail and good job on the whites in what looks like pretty harsh light. Always like the mid-stride capture.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Arni on March 14, 2010 at 7:48 AM

I think this is great Brian, Good DOF and good detail in the whites. Love the lead foot coming at us. I think that really makes the shot. I kind of like the lesser room at the bottom. I think that accents the (foot coming at us).

Registered on December 24, 2008, 112 Posts, 629 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 14, 2010 at 9:39 AM

Nice low angle, and the foot up is really nice. Excellent sharpness and exposure to hold detail in all the whites.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 14, 2010 at 9:40 AM

You're right, Brian, the 3D effect here is really outstanding! The bird is looking right at us too. Fine detail and color. Even with the nits you mention, this is a very realistic shot.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 14, 2010 at 10:02 AM

Nice as posted! I love the perspective you captured. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 14, 2010 at 11:27 AM

This is very nice Brian. I think the nits you mention are trade-offs - more DOF and more room at the bottom would both likely have negative impacts too IMO. You got the important foot/leg sharp and I might not have even noticed or cared about the softness of the other leg if you hadn't mentioned it. Well done.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 14, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Very nice Brian, I like the leg up. I'd take some off the top here comp wise.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 14, 2010 at 4:03 PM

I like the stepping out pose. Good job with exposure, and sharp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on March 14, 2010 at 6:26 PM

Really nice Brian. I love the eye contact here. I'd remove some space from the top, but other than that, its a beauty

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 14, 2010 at 7:48 PM

Nicely done. Glad you could make it down for the 2 lifers.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 14, 2010 at 8:12 PM

Exactly what Nate said!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 14, 2010 at 10:57 PM

thanks for the comments everyone, I agree with (what now seems obvious) the suggestion to take some off the top. I think maybe I was overcompensating for the lack of room at the bottom.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 17, 2010 at 6:34 PM

Brian,

I love that raised foot, the setting and how you handled the exposure of the whites. Lovely details and great look at the large bill of this plover & the eye.

A little more room at the bottom would have had more OOF vegetation, I like this as posted so more space on the bottom isn't an issue with me.

Great low angle!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on March 17, 2010 at 8:59 PM

The bird really pops. Great shot!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments