Mumma and chicks

[Julie Rathbone]

Just testing out my new kit at the local waterfront when found a mother masked lapwing guarding her chicks...
Nikon D5 nikkor 200-500 f5.6
ISO 900
460mm 1/1600
basic adjustments in LR
small crop

[Isaac Grant]

Congrats on the new gear. Love the parent and babies all facing about the same way. Nice habitat as well.

Light was not helping here as most of the birds are shaded. Whites on the flanks are too hot and I do not see any details there. Also the blacks on the head are blocked. Picture also looks flat to me as well and does not have any pop meaning the blues of the water and the greens of the plants all look a bit washed out due to the harsh light. The third baby under the parent is not doing you any favors either. Keep in mind that it is very difficult to properly expose a black and white bird in strong light, especially when the sun is not at your back. These types of shots are best in early morning or late evening light in my book. Looking forward to more in softer light.

[Colin Driscoll]

Lovely family shot Julie. Isaac has made some good points although I think your exposure is not far off. Maybe -.6ev would have helped. Keeping the sun behind you is one that I have learned the hard way too and it looks like you could have moved to achieve this. Pop your location in your profile too so we can see where in OZ you are. Exciting getting new kit!

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Julie and welcome to BPN. Nice and sharp with a great bird. Isaac's comments were right on. Some NIK Color Efex Pro Detail Extractor on the chicks and the brightest WHITEs on the flanks might help.

I think that you might be able to do more with this image. If you'd like to shoot me the NEF file via a large file transfer service to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net I'd be glad to take a crack at it.

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