Black-crowned night Heron.

[Karl Egressy]

Here is an other shot of one of the juvies.
It was very late and not much light was available.
I had to leave the tripod behind and shoot from hand as it was a pretty rough spot.
I used ISO 1600 and higher shutter to compensate for the hand holding technics.
Thanks for looking.



Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Manual Exposure
Tv 1/500
Av 5.6
ISO 1600
EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

[Diane Miller]

WOW! This bird pops out from the background! Incredible sharpness for hand holding 1/500 sec at that magnification.

Would it be against your principles to burn down the brightest browns in the background, just a little? The roots on the left fight with the bird for my attention, but they are beautiful, and the off-center composition is wonderful, so I wouldn't want to crop. Nik's Viveza (using control points) can be magic for toning down areas like that.

The image also feels tilted to the left. But it is spectacular!

[Randy Stout]

Karl:

The eyes are amazing here. Diane makes some good points. Yes, needs CCW rotation, and I would also consider toning down the area above and left of the bird.

Did I mention, I love those eyes?

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Thank you Diana, thank you Randy.

I did everything you suggested except rotation as I don't really feel as to how much rotation would be right.

[Don Nelson]

Karl

If it were mine, I'd desaturate the blue/cyan in the bird's feathers (caused by the sky providing illumination).
quick repost for example:
118643

[Diane Miller]

Pulling your image into Photoshop and using the Ruler tool on what looks like "horizontal" ridges in the pond scum, I get about 2.2 degrees. When objects such as a water line have perspective factors (a bank slanting away from you) there often is no right or wrong -- the camera may be level but things look off. I just go by what feels right.

[Karl Egressy]

Pulling your image into Photoshop and using the Ruler tool on what looks like "horizontal" ridges in the pond scum, I get about 2.2 degrees. When objects such as a water line have perspective factors (a bank slanting away from you) there often is no right or wrong -- the camera may be level but things look off. I just go by what feels right.
Thanks Diana, good point.

[Karl Egressy]

Karl

If it were mine, I'd desaturate the blue/cyan in the bird's feathers (caused by the sky providing illumination).
quick repost for example:
118643

Hi Don,

Thanks for your comment and work.
I already got rid of the blue cast to a point where I felt I had to stop.
Going further as you did just makes the picture look flat IMO.
You need a little bit of blue cast on the bird to represent the light of the scene at that very late time of the day.

[dankearl]

Cool, shot, Karl. it is really in your face, a great POV.
Don's repost is very nice.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Karl, now this perspective really rocks - great low angle and love the eye contact with those large eyes. Your repost in pane #8 looks the best, if you could correct the rotation. :w3

[Daniel Cadieux]

High impact image!! Great low angle and focus on the eye. I prefer the blue cast gone as per Don's post, and Diane has given you good thoughts on rotation. Great stuff Karl!

[Robert Holguin]

Wow!!!! Stunning image. The clarity in the eyes and the stare are amazing. Love the habitat and great comp.
Very well done.

[Satish Ranadive]

Karl,
Excellent image of Heron in environment.What I liked more is 3D effect created by two roots;one in focus plus FG, second in slight OOF and background.
Love the eyes.Nice discussion on the subject.

Regards,
Satish.