White-backed vulture

[Steve Kaluski]

Just as a comparison, here is a White-backed vulture. These guys were hanging around close by the scavenger hide in the hope one of the Tawny eagles would drop some slender pickings. Shot flat on the ground by the jeep.

Thanks to those who viewed or commented on the previous posting.

Steve

Subject: White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus)
Location: SA
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
Lens: EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM HH
Exposure: 1/1000s at f/11 ISO5000
Original format: Portrait, slight crop from above, almost FF width
Processed via: LRC Classic & PSCC2020

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Love everything about this image, Steve. What beautiful light and how perfect the proportional subtle fill light from the left is. Neat that you thought of the low POV and got him to stare right at you. Nice red soil complimenting the bird, and great background.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu (http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu)

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Geoffrey, if you love bird photography at low level, with water this is the place. Sadly you do have to contend with inch thick glass, but out of the hides or around them you can get some nice stuff too, plus if lucky, game animals too like lion, elephant & buffalo, but for me, once is enough, I don't like hides. :w3

[Robert Kimbrell]

Super image Steve. Nice low angle and a good look in your direction, The background is pleasing with a color palette that fits the Vulture.

[David Roach]

The African landscape always gives wonderful tones and the low POV takes full advantage. Africa also has the coolest looking vultures (this one and the one that drops bones) around. Just awesome details and colors throughout. TFS

[Bretoteanu Dan]

Beautifully composed, the colour of the BG and the way it makes the vulture stand out is superb. Also the overall light, the head angle, catchlight in the eyes and the FG.

[Brian Sump]

Very strong frame Steve. Intense glare, fine details on head fuzz and even that fuzz poking through the wing feather. FG texture and color compliments the flight feather colors and offsets the bgk nicely.

Personally, would like to see one version with a touch off the top and added to left. I am good with this crop too, though.

TFS man!

[William Dickson]

Looking good Steve....Almost 3D look about it here. Love the POV..Lovely pose and feather detail and that stare finishes it off nicely.

Will

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks, appreciate the comments and not bad for ISO5000.


Personally, would like to see one version with a touch off the top and added to left.

Yep, can see that working too Brian, thank you.

[gail bisson]

Very nice frame.
Love the low POV and that direct gaze. Very nice light.
I really like the purples in the top of the BG. For that reason, I would leave the top of the frame as is, but would take a sliver off the bottom and add it to the left. Composition is such a personal choice though and it is very nice a is.

[Paul Burdett]

Not much to add Steve...a stunning shot. For me, a little off the oof bottom would be my crop.

[John Mack]

A beauty for sure. Everything looks spot on to me.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks.


For me, a little off the oof bottom would be my crop.

Hi Paul, yes a sliver could be removed, my concerns are always that folk don't leave enough at the foot of an image and so, 'visually' the image appears as if its falling out of frame. This can often be an issue in Wildlife, as feet/legs are hidden by FG mush and not enough room is visually left. :w3

[Paul Burdett]

Good point Steve, and very true, but I just find the oof section a little distracting, so just a sliver off would work for me. Cheers.