Pileated Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted September 18, 2012154 views5 comments

One of my favorite birds. I like this shot because morning sunlight illuminated his head only, so it gave an interesting feel. I also like that you can see the tail feathers and claws quite well.
I'm pushing the envelope on I.S. however, had to sharpen the eye a bit, 1/80 sec handheld. Guess I could have gone higher on the iso a bit.

canon 7d
1/80
5.6
iso500
400mm, I.S., no tripod

Do you think the head is too bright? Maybe tone it down a little?

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 19, 2012 at 2:40 AM

Uneven light is tough to deal with.
This is quite a nice image, and you have some good detail in the feathers. I do think the head is too bright - out of character with the remainder of the shot.
You were also a bit too close (assuming you did no cropping) and the tail got cut off, unfortunately.
At 1/80, a tripod would have helped.
Sandy.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 19, 2012 at 7:16 AM

I like the setting for sure. I too would bring the head down a bit. I also would like a bit more room for the tail and on top and left as the bird is looking in those directions. Basically move the bird more to the LRHC of the comp. Sharpness seems fine given the images posted.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Nice detail you managed here Mark...especially at 1/80. I agree with the other suggestions, but might also add, I would crop some from the right so he doesn't seem so centered and add back to top and bottom if you have it (in case it is a crop).

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 19, 2012 at 5:44 PM

Yes, the head is a bit too bright compared to the rest of the image. I also agree about the composition suggestions.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on September 19, 2012 at 5:52 PM

Well done of this scraglly looking woodie.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments