First Encounter

Gallery: AvianPosted June 11, 201159 views8 comments

Canon EOS 7D, EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x TC @ 700mm, Aperture Priority @ f/8 (1/60 sec), -1/3 EV, ISO 640, Tripod, Cropped about 60% from Full Frame

Subject: Banded Kingfisher (male)

Location: Kinabatangan River, Sukau, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Situation: Shortly before six one morning while drifting along another tributary I had my first encounter with this beautifully coloured little Kingfisher. Only had a few brief moments with him before he took off and lighting was something of a challenge as was the distance between us, but luckily I had my lens mounted on the tripod, which enabled me to get a reasonably sharp shot even at 1/60th of a second.

Would have loved to have more opportunities but it wasn't to be, so I'm extremely thankful for having been able to capture this.

When I looked at this in post production, at first I saw the hanging vine directly behind the subject as quite a distraction and was real tempted to remove it, but while contemplating the outcome I decided against doing so, as the way I saw it in my mind without it being there left the picture kind of unbalanced.

As always, critique and comments encouraged and appreciated, thanks in advance :^)

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on June 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM

Hi Ashley,

This little guy looks so cool! It is a bit cluttered but I totally agree with you on the vine. Toning down that birght background might make him 'pop' a bit more from the branches.

Thanks for sharing,

Billy

Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 12, 2011 at 10:54 AM

Indeed a great looking KF - I am still awaiting my first sighting of the female. On my monitor, perhaps you could go a bit brighter.

Forest photography in South East Asia is such that you will get very busy and distracting BG's. Personally, I prefer to leave 'major' things as they are, but will remove the tiniest bits at edges, if necessary.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Binda on June 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM

I think you did pretty well considering the circumstances. I like it the way it is, wouldn't change anything, well done

cheers, Dennis

Registered on September 8, 2007, 56 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 12, 2011 at 3:54 PM

Nice capture under difficult conditions. I agree, about not trying to remove the vine. A lot of work for little (or no, in my opinion) added value.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Harshad Barve on June 12, 2011 at 5:50 PM

Lovely shot

Registered on July 25, 2010, 39 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 13, 2011 at 1:42 AM

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions Billy, KC, Dennis, David, and Harshad, much appreciated :^)

KC: On my last afternoon in Sandakan, having already left the Kinabatangan River, while on a walk through the Rainforest Discovery Centre (which is attached to Sepilok) my friend pointed out a female Blue-Banded Kingfisher (which, as you know, has banding of black and brown with no traces of blue at all) that was unfortunately high in a tree right above us and I couldn't get into a position to photograph her without the harsh light from the pure white sky spoiling every image I took :^(

Nevertheless, it was a real treat to see the female of this wonderful species, which made this a double-first all on the same trip :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 14, 2011 at 6:58 AM

Another beauty Ashley. i really like the way you capture the feel of the forest with the inclusion of habitat and yet the bird is still very firmly the focus of the image. here's hoping I can emulate it.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 14, 2011 at 10:52 PM

You have to find the little bugger first Rob ;^) Thanks for posting a comment and real pleased you like this one too :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments