Ugly as a _ _ _ _?

[Arthur Morris]

Some over-eager folks scared every pelican off the cliffs in LaJolla this morning before I had a chance to intercede, so it was off to Mission Bay in search of Redheads. Wound up having to make soup from a stone... Don't be shy; all comments welcome. Later and love, artie

American Coot: Canon EOS 1D MIII with 2X II TC and the 500mm f/4L IS lens on Gitzo CF 3530 LSV with Mongoose M3.5. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/11 set manually after histogram check.

[Ric Kasnoff]

as my ex-mother-in-law?

plain as can be to be sure but what grabs me is the masterful way you've captured and preserved the delicate white on white texture in it's beak

nice touch

...Ric

[Shawn Marques]

And a mighty fine coot it is! :D ~Shawn

[Mike Milicia]

I think that's about as handsome as a Coot can look ! :)

Great clarity and detail and perfect exposure !

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I don't know why they have such a bad PR, I think they look cute. :) Great portrait and exposure control. I would prefer a bit wider DOF and bit more room but that is just a matter of personal preference.

[Ed Cordes]

Don't be shy; all comments welcome. Later and love, artie

Very sharp (looks like your 1D3 works well) and excellent exposure of this BEAUTIFUL bird. I do wonder about the flash reflection on the beak? Not, of course, that I could do better.

[John Zimmerman]

That is a good looking Coot. Do I detect a hint of a smile. I would smile to if I were being photographed by Artie.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

One of the most impressive head portaits that i have ever seen!!!
Congats Artie!

[Bob Malbon]

Art, Who is your make up artist? That Coot sure cleaned up nice! Bob Malbon

[Arthur Morris]

Very sharp (looks like your 1D3 works well) and excellent exposure of this BEAUTIFUL bird. I do wonder about the flash reflection on the beak? Not, of course, that I could do better.

Hey Ed. No flash on this one... Those reflections are from the S-U-N. <smile> And I do not like them either.

later and love, artie

[Bob Malbon]

Art, How much crop on this frame? - Bob

[Arthur Morris]

Art, How much crop on this frame? - Bob

Hi Bob, No crop. Later and love, artie


as my ex-mother-in-law?

plain as can be to be sure but what grabs me is the masterful way you've captured and preserved the delicate white on white texture in it's beak

nice touch

...Ric

Hey Ric,

I used Select Color to select the beak, put it on an adjustment layer, and then Multiplied it, thus the rich ivory-like whites.

later and love artie