Changeable Hawk Eagle ( Earlier known as 'Crested Hawk Eagle')

[ajay]

The spider web maybe a 'Social Spider'
Bandhavgarh National Park, India. Nikon D200/400 2.8 AF-I. Resized and Sharpened. Comments welcome

[Arthur Grosset]

What a bird. I just love the way the crest is falling to the left. The spider's web is a bonus in my view and I wonder if a small crop off the top of the image might just emphasise that feature of the composition. The ochre colour cast suggests that this was in the early morning or evening. I like it - almost sepia.

[Arthur Morris]

Well done, and lovely light Below s a cropped version that I like a lot; I think that it maximizes the good stuff and places all attention on big birdie...

later and love, artie

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great stare and interesting-looking bird. I find Artie's crop suggestion very creative. The whites look borderline hot on my monitor. Could you post the techs?

[ajay]

Great stare and interesting-looking bird. I find Artie's crop suggestion very creative. The whites look borderline hot on my monitor. Could you post the techs?


Axel,
You are on the mark, there is a bit of over-exposure. The picture was taken almost eye level from a jeep in warm morning light but I may have added to the warmth by pushing the white balance at cloudy-3. Maybe a -0.3EV underexposure will do it.
Thank you

[ajay]

Well done, and lovely light Below s a cropped version that I like a lot; I think that it maximizes the good stuff and places all attention on big birdie...

later and love, artie


Artie,
I really value your comments as everything I've learnt is from your books and when I met you at Blind Pass in Dec 2006.
The crop you suggested is definately creative but is it practical for the size and shape for any publication or display?? Just curious.

[Chris van Rooyen]

The soft quality of the light, the eye contact and outstanding sharpness on this raptor really makes the picture for me. Agree that Art's cropping suggestion strengthens the image significantly.

[Rick A. Brown]

This is so cool. What a beautiful bird in beautiful light. The one thing I don't like is the new name for the bird doesn't sound as good as the old name.

[Andreas Kanon]

Very nice shot. I like the original crop better. It shows more enviroment and balances out the composition.

[Dan Elster]

Great shot and what a killer bird. I find the cropped version way too tight. Don't change a thing.