Tree Swallow

Gallery: AvianPosted May 16, 2013342 views12 comments

Tree Swallow. Taken at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, California.
Nikon D800, 600mm + 1.4x TC + SB-900 Flash set on TTL (-1.7 EV)
ISO 400, 1/800 f/5.6 Manual.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on May 16, 2013 at 4:46 AM

Very nicely done, Tjie. I love the intersecting perch and the super smooth BG.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on May 16, 2013 at 5:13 AM

Hi Tjie, nice, clean and yet simple, but perhaps the hardest to execute.

I like the placement in frame with the head angle looking out. I would suggest making a Levels adjustment around 248 on the whites just before it starts to blown, add a Curves mid tone adjustment, then invert and apply to the main part of the body (except the head) as it helps define the plumage a bit more, then finally add a bit more selective USM. Brings things up a treat and illustrates what you have managed to capture.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 16, 2013 at 6:11 AM

Excellent exposure and the use of flash is very subtle which is great. Very good job.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on May 16, 2013 at 7:10 AM

Wonderful shot of a very difficult subject.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 16, 2013 at 8:38 AM

Wonderful composition and excellent detail- a superb image Tjie.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 16, 2013 at 10:38 AM

These can be difficult to record properly and you have done a great job with this one. Very nice pose and colors, the detail also well done.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 16, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Excellent. Nice detail and exposure; lovely composition.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 16, 2013 at 3:35 PM

Very nice shot of a bird that is difficult to get a good picture of. I like the slight head turn to display the colors and eye contact, way to go.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 16, 2013 at 3:35 PM

Excellent capture and composition. On my monitor, a slight overall brightening would help.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 16, 2013 at 4:20 PM

Great colors and detail, and the double perch is great, too. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 17, 2013 at 1:50 AM

A Simply Beautiful Photograph Tjie

Great light and colors throughout, excellent details. I like the way reeds lead my eye to the swallow, a very pleasing composition.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 18, 2013 at 1:19 PM

Excellent shot Tjie, love the comp and similar colors here

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