Spoonie Preening [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

David Pugsley

02-07-2013, 12:52 PM

I haven't shot a lot lately (about to change that) so I had to go into the archives for this one. I most like the stark contrast between the spoonie's brilliant color and the cool foreground/background.

Ft. DeSoto, FL

1D MkIII
500 f/4 + 1.4x
1/250 @ f/10
EC +1/3
ISO 400

Basic processing in LR with some clean-up in PS.

Cheers
David

Lorant Voros

02-07-2013, 01:26 PM

Very nice preening pose, nice angle and I like how you included the reflection. The bird does pop out from the BG for sure. Pulling it into PS the red channel is over saturated a bit. I would sharpen the neck a bit less. Well done.

Raymond Lee

02-07-2013, 05:13 PM

Great preening pose! I think the neck sharpness is fine, however, but from the breast and down, it looks oversharpened. The legs are way too saturated. So in general, cut down the overall saturation and sharpness.

Dennis Zaebst

02-07-2013, 06:40 PM

Sweet! I really like the contrast between the pinks of the spoonie and the blue water, as you said. You didn't mention it, but was this shot flashed, or was the bird in a direct sunbeam, perhaps? In any case, nicely done.

Marina Scarr

02-07-2013, 08:14 PM

Your exposure is really spot on here, David. You have excellent details, light, pose and colors. I like the zigzagging of the reflection. That, centering your subject and shooting from down up make this one unique. If you have the space, I can also see a different crop.

David Pugsley

02-07-2013, 08:48 PM

You didn't mention it, but was this shot flashed, or was the bird in a direct sunbeam, perhaps?

Good call, I forgot the flash information.
580 EZ II w/ Better Beamer at FC -2 1/3
The subject was also in an early morning spot of light if I recall correctly.

Robert Holguin

02-07-2013, 10:51 PM

Wonderful shot.
Really like the pose, excellent shooting angle, great comp and very nice light.
Very well done.

Frank Schauf

02-08-2013, 02:19 AM

Nice pose and colors, David.

Daniel Cadieux

02-08-2013, 09:53 AM

Nice preening pose, great colours, and you went down low enough to prevent the horizon line from cutting to high on the neck. I would not sharpen where the water is within DOF as the debris in that area stands out too much because of it IMO.