Dramatic Black Shadow Background Gannet

[Arthur Morris]

Northern Gannet, breeding plumage adult

This image was created on June 30, 2016 at Bempton Cliffs, UK with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175034-REG/nikon_af_s_nikkor_200_500mm_f_5_6e.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/NI20050056VR/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xNI20050056VR) and my souped up Nikon D850. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1351688-REG/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/NID850/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xNID850) ISO 400. I went with the book exposure for super-bright whites, 1/5000 sec. at f/6.3 (the equivalent of 1/2500 sec. at 9) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:34pm on a dead-clear afternoon. Center group (grp) Continuos (AI Servo in Canon) shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The upper point in the array was on the bird’s cheek as originally framed.

To learn what I was seeing and thinking when I made this image, see the Bempton Cliffs Part I: Dramatic Black Shadow Backgrounds blog post here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2018/09/01/bempton-cliffs-part-i-dramatic-black-shadow-backgrounds/).

As for the image, don't be shy; all comments are welcome.

with love, artie

[gail bisson]

I love this one Artie.
I am a sucker for dramatic black BG's and this is a show stopper.
Only thing I can suggest is to try to get some separation of the birds left wingtip from the black BG.
I am OK with the blues in the whites due to the shadowing but would love to see a repost with the blues reduces in those white areas.
Gail

[Arthur Morris]

I love this one Artie.
I am a sucker for dramatic black BG's and this is a show stopper.
Only thing I can suggest is to try to get some separation of the birds left wingtip from the black BG.
I am OK with the blues in the whites due to the shadowing but would love to see a repost with the blues reduces in those white areas.
Gail

Thanks Gail. Are you talking primarily about the dorsal surfaces of the leading edges of the wings?

with love, artie

[John Mack]

That bird really pops against that dark background. Nice and sharp with perfect exposure. Looks a little tight in the frame.

[Mitch Carucci]

Dramatic it is! A wonderful & powerful image.

[Arthur Morris]

That bird really pops against that dark background. Nice and sharp with perfect exposure. Looks a little tight in the frame.

Yes. It was nearly full frame out of camera. I did add a bit behind and abov the birds. Thanks.

with love, artie

[gail bisson]

Thanks Gail. Are you talking primarily about the dorsal surfaces of the leading edges of the wings?

with love, artie
Yes indeed!

[Arthur Morris]

Yes indeed!

Thanks. Here is something for all of us to ponder. If we like warm light, and we strive to keep at least a good part of it in our photographs, what do we have against the cooler colors that occur naturally in our image?

Just playing devil's advocate?

Denise Ippolito used to hate the BLUE shadows and probably still does.

with love, artie

[Daniel Cadieux]

I don't know why, but I too always remove, or reduce, the blues in the shadows found on the subject. I do not hate those, but prefer them toned down a lot. Anyhow, I love the image and whole subject angling towards the camera. Super details on the plumage, I especially like the "scaling" on the belly. I also love the subtle navy waving in the BG.

[Dorian Anderson]

Great intense stare on this guy! I like that we can see the stripes on the feet. They are missed in most shots. BG is perfect. Dark enough for drama but still
some very subtle texture for oceanic context. I agree about trying to tone down the blues on the wing. But far from a deal breaker.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the dark BG, wing position, eye contact and composition. Needs a little touch up in the BG in front of the bird and a few patches below. Nice image Arthur.

[Ian McLachlan]

iLove the this type of image and thanks for showing us how its done .I have had a lot of trouble with White bellied sea Eagles when I get the whites right funny things happen with the grey on the top of their wings. Sometimes the direct sunlight is a distorter and often the image taken on a dull but clear day is accurate.

[Arthur Morris]

I like the dark BG, wing position, eye contact and composition. Needs a little touch up in the BG in front of the bird and a few patches below. Nice image Arthur.

Thanks Jim. I am not sure what you are seeing where ... It might be that our monitors are a bit different.

with love, artie

[Jim Crosswell]

It could be my monitor. I see a line going up on our left side on the frame. It does fade in and out though.

[Arthur Morris]

It could be my monitor. I see a line going up on our left side on the frame. It does fade in and out though.

Thanks Jim, ****, you have good eyes. I brought the master file into Photoshop, pulled up the curve and saw the line easily. Left-over from expanding the canvas and not being careful enough. And the same thing along the bottom ... I will re-visit the master file and smooth that out.

with love, artie

[annmpacheco]

Hi Artie, Wow, glad I didnt miss this one! So dramatic, love the "coolness" this evokes, deep navy blues and that gorgeous gannett, what a wingspan, and love the light on the body and those great green striped feet! Super

[David Salem]

One of my favorite in-flight images from you. Very striking and I really like the head being so sharp and protruding from the dark background. That right foot with the pinstriping looks fantastic too. Well done Artie