Greater Roadrunner

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2012654 views15 comments

Taking a break from the cranes and geese, here's a Greater Roadrunner from Bosque del Apache He was very cooperative, although he was often too cooperative to fit in the frame! I'm interested in how this comp works for you.

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view the larger version if possible.

f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO 400

Crop to 60% of original (10.8 of 18MP)

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, handheld

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 8, 2012 at 10:47 AM

The composition doesn't work for me - I prefer all of the bird or just a head shot with this species. Being in-between this is neither.

I can't resist shooting very tight when I get the chance but am almost always disappointed when I review the images in editing. I just tossed a group of Curve-billed Thrasher photos where I was too close for a full body image although it was exciting at the time I took them.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 8, 2012 at 11:24 AM

Not sure this composition works for me either. I easily get pulled from the head to the tail and then out. I think this could work as a vertical with just the head / neck. Great detail though.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 8, 2012 at 12:44 PM

Hello Brian

Great Sharp Detail. Frustrating isn't it ? too much lens , usually Not Enough..... But thanks for sharing. Maybe a vertical portrait type crop would help . This type of Image is Very Helpful for illustration & Artists to get the Best Details.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2012 at 4:30 PM

A nice cooperative Roadrunner is rare, these are usually hard birds to photograph, at least for me. Since there is very good detail I also think a portrait vertical would work better than showing the tail. You have a great background and color for a portrait with no other distracting elements. Nice job in getting this.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 8, 2012 at 8:00 PM

I'm on the fence on the crop. I think I would like the vertical as well maybe to the fluffy feathers of the tail. Great detail on the face and super eye contact.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on February 8, 2012 at 8:14 PM

I agree with the other comments...I think that if the tail could be cropped out, this would be really excellent, as there is great detail...
Nice capture, though. Good, smooth background...
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 8, 2012 at 8:31 PM

These guys have such a quizzical look it always cracks me up. Good detail on the head, neck, and breast, and I like the background. But I'm not very keen on the comp though-my eye gets drawn out towards the OOF tail, if it were mine I think I'd be loosing the tail.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2012 at 9:56 PM

There's a lot of great detail here, but for me the comp just isn't that appealing.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 9, 2012 at 7:29 PM

Brian,
I would try a vertical approach to this and see what that gets you. Love road runners and just have not been very fortunate to get any good images of these guys and you have a nice sharp bird with a somewhat questionable comp although I have to say I don't really mind it. I think i'd just prefer a vertical portrait.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 10, 2012 at 10:03 PM

A vertical crop for me too if it will stand up to it. Great eye contact here.

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

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 10, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Brian, great details. And a very nice BG. Perfectly exposed. Great eye contact. I'm undecided on the tail. It provides a balance to the mass of the body, but it also leads my eye away from the bird. If it were mine (I have never seen a bird like this), I would try a squarish vertical without the tail, perhaps to just above the fluffy feathers on the body. Nice job to get this.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on February 11, 2012 at 12:44 AM

I like it. The head shot is very powerful.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 11, 2012 at 4:39 PM

Nice detailed portrait and color matching BG. The tail doesn't distract for me and I would leave as is.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 11, 2012 at 5:12 PM

Detail is excellent, wonderful portrait. I'd leave the crop as is.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on February 21, 2012 at 9:17 AM

Great portrait Brian. Don't actually mind that the tail is included in the shot. But would also like to see it as a vertical without the tail.

May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments