Black-necked Stilts, post mating bill cross

[Larry Kaufman]

Canon 1d MarkIIn, 600mm f/4 w/1.4xTC, Manual exposure @ ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1600th (sunny 16 which was 2/3 under at the time)

Compositionally I think this is a little different. Convention would probably have more space to the right as the female's head position is dominant and looking that way. I wanted to include as much habitat as reasonable and really liked the more forward reeds to the left, hence the Stilts position on the right 3rd of the frame. The amount of out of focus foreground is from the school of leaving room for the virtual legs/feet, and this species has long legs!

Thanks for looking and all comments, harsh critiques, and reposts are appreciated.

Larry

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The composition works for me. I also like the interaction, angle and OOF reeds. The only thing I find a bit distracting is the shadow of her bill on his chest.

[Jim Poor]

Very nice! A tender moment for sure. I too like the reeds on the left, but wonder how a vertical crop would compliment the "S" shape of the birds.


If you're into this sort of thing, I've learned a neat trick with the patch tool that would probably move these birds (or even easier in this case the reeds) over pretty easily with no cloning involved. I make a really loose selection with the patch tool and 'destination' set for the the patch and just drag the object where I want it. In most cases, the blending is done so smoothly that there is no clean up to do after.

[Larry Kaufman]

[quote=Jim Poor;8765]Very nice! A tender moment for sure. I too like the reeds on the left, but wonder how a vertical crop would compliment the "S" shape of the birds.
quote]

Hi Jim,

Thanks and I actually have this capture hung as a vertical on 16x20 canvas in front of my computer workstation now! I had a frame to fill and given the position on the wall it needed to be in that orientation. It does work well too.

Larry

[Lance Warley]

The moment that you captured between these two birds transcends everything else.

This would be beautiful if the bg was a subway in the Bronx.

I like the whole thing exactly as you have it. Stunning.

[D. Robert Franz]

An outstanding image. Everything works...

[Glenn Bartley]

A beautiful moment captured. I really like the comp.

[Krijn Trimbos]

Gorgeous......the low angle and vivid colours make this for me!

[Seetharam]

Outstanding Larry. Composition works well for me.

[Daniel Cadieux]

WOW! What a nice photograph. The colors, the composition, the interaction, the low angle, etc, etc...evrything works for a magical moment perfectly captured in time! Congratulations!!

[David Hemmings]

Composition, techs and that bg, wonderful image:D

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

An extraordinary image! i am speachless!

[Hillebrand Breuker]

Excellent image and i can imagine that a vertical is great

[Fabs Forns]

Love it, Larry :)
Wish it were mine :)

Very emotional moment.
A few pointers have been mentioned, but I would be very happy to have it!

[DanWalters]

Beautiful image! Love the colors and the interaction.

[Steve Holmes]

Wonderful image. I love it.

I agree, it might be nice to have a little more space to the right.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Great moment!!!