Takeoff

Gallery: AvianPosted December 13, 2011129 views5 comments

I was out two days ago trying to learn to use manual mode. It was an overcast day starting to break up. As I was walking to a new location I noticed this Egret and what I think is good background for a white bird. I started to covert to AV mode (I am use to it) and went to a vertical framing. As I was taking some test images to check exposure some birders walked close and the Egret took off. I just got this image. I wish I could have lowered my ISO and increased my f stop but I think I came out OK.

Canon 7D with 500mm
Tripod
1/6400 at f / 5.0
ISO 400
EV - 2/3

Comments and critiques always appreciated.

I forgot to indicated that I did my normal processing in LR3 and CS5 but I did dodge the bright bent reed in front of the bird.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 13, 2011 at 11:03 AM

This works for me as posted. I don't think the ISO setting was a problem here. Setting the white bird against the almost black background creates some nice drama in the image. I like the lines from the green vegetation.

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on December 13, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Nice grab shot -- got some nice detail in the wings. Might try a horizontal to give the bird more room all around -- especially in the direction he is headed. You would lose some of the reflection but since it is not a full and clear reflection that could work -- just to see what that might look like

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Nice exposure and sharpness, interesting pose. I'm fine with your composition and like the darker background that still shows elements of habitat.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 13, 2011 at 1:43 PM

Wow, gorgeous!
Exceptional detail in a tough exposure handled perfectly. The dark BG and greeen reeds against the bright bird, plus a bit of reflection, are terrific. I'd be tempted to try to clone out the red reed - seems out of place and a bit distracting.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on December 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM

Very nice. Good detail in the whites and overall very sharp. Nice contrast of white on black. Like the vertical comp; maybe a little more canvas on the left??

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments