Grey Heron

[Tony Whitehead]

This is the same bird that Stu showed in this thread
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/103179-Grey-Heron-in-sweet-light
I was a little further down the hide so caught it later in it's flight with a different light angle and with the water surface as background. When I first processed the image I wasn't happy with it but revisited it after stumbling across the negative tonal contrast technique I mentioned in my last post
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/106190-Happy-New-Year-and-a-tip-for-backgrounds
I like the glow of the backlit bill and how the refections of the the morning sky and brown grass in the early sun echo the colours of plumage and bill.
Nikon D800, Nikon 500VR
1/500s f4 ISO720 (autoISO) HH
Thanks for looking.
Comments and advice appreciated as always.



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[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tony, this brings back memories of a great morning we had. :w3 Lovely soft light, especially on the leading edge of the wings. I like how the grey's of the Heron are complimented by the colours of the BG. This also has a 3D effect, as the Heron seems to pop out the screen. Great pp work all round.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Tony

It's very neat to see two very different images of the same bird taken very close together (in time). I'm usually a fan of the warmer tones, but I think the neutral/cooler look works well with the bg. Great job with the side-back light too.

Miguel

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Tony,
Very good use of the sidelight! Details and colors look great to me! As usual.....I would prefer a tighter crop....more to a pano....but you know my tastes!!! Very nicely done!!!

[Randy Stout]

Tony:

For me, the backlight works very well here, with just the right sun angle. Nicely exposed with smooth BG courtesy of your reverse contrast tech.

I could see a little cropping on the left, but generally don't like them quite as tight as Roman!

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

The lighting gives it a ethereal look that I like.
I also think a bit tighter crop would look nice.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Really like the way the side light works to lift the heron from the background.

My vote would be to stay as posted - I like the amount of space the heron has to fly into.

Gerald