‹ Previous Weekly Challenge Gallery Next ›

WC798 Cactus Wren

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted July 30, 20171,017 views5 comments

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: December 2, 2008, 7:31 am
Equipment: Nikon D200, AF-S Nikkor 300 f/2.8 D ED-IF plus TC-20E (2x), G1325 tripod with RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/90th @ f/8, fill flash with SB-800
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, cropped to 84% of full frame

Another from the unprocessed backlog. Taken on a rare (for AZ) foggy morning. The flash has brought out the color and detail in the wren while the fog has softened the background to this interesting high key effect.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on July 30, 2017 at 4:15 PM

Really nice, Rich. The high key effect works well. Excellent pose and techs, and the patterns on the briars match well with the plumage.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 30, 2017 at 5:13 PM

Excellent, Richard. This really came out well. It has the look of an illustration which the high key approach sometimes produces when it's done really well.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on July 30, 2017 at 9:21 PM

Hi Richard,

The lighting is very flat and the small view has little or no depth. You have to look at the big version which has quite a bit of details present and the head of the wren is amazing. Well done...........................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 31, 2017 at 9:38 AM

There's a strong "graphical drawing" sense here Richard, with the two tone perch and sharp spines in it's perch. Those are set of beautifully by the subtle colors in it's breast and belly. This would make a great print.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Moreau on August 1, 2017 at 9:25 AM

Richard, I like this a lot. The high key presentation works well, and the image has a very graphic quality which I like.

Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments