Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
WC 491 - Flash Bunting
‹ PreviousWeekly Challenge GalleryNext ›

WC 491 - Flash Bunting

by Rob Graham

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted July 11, 2011357 views6 comments
Some major insomnia tonight, so I worked up this image for this weeks challenge. I originally posted this in late January. I reworked it, using different methods including TK's Triple-play actions. The difference between the images really surprised me, plus it was much quicker and easier this time around. The Snow Bunting was basically back lit, and I only had time to use the pop-up flash on the camera to try and put some light on the bird. Working distance was probably 15 feet at the most, and the flash put out just enough illumination to save the image.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 11, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Great work with flash. The light looks very natural. Nice image.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by RL Potts on July 12, 2011 at 2:38 PM
The good: With flash you managed to capture a nice, detailed portrait. The bad: It's pretty minor. It's the rock at the tip of the tail, not the fault of the flash anyway. The ugly: It is really minor. Something about the catch-light in the eye annoys me. But I think I would have done the same.
Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments
Comment posted by Varina Patel on July 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM
The light on this bird is just beautiful, Rob - and the serene expression makes this a very peaceful image. I do wish that rock wasn't covering a bit of the tail - but there's not a thing you could have done about it. Your use of the pop-up flash is just right in this case - enough fill light to bring out details on the shadowed side of the bird - but not so much as to compete with the beautiful natural light.It even provided a lovely, subtle fill light. Well done!
Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on July 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM
The flash gives the Bunting a nice soft lighting and some shine to the wing feathers at some places. Seems to have worked very well, imo.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 21, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 24, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Congrats Rob :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments