PDA

View Full Version : Black-necked Stilt



Bryan Holliday
01-01-2008, 06:37 PM
Hello everyone... this is my first post and am looking forward to meeting all of you out in the field someday!

I created this image down in Texas at Santa Ana NWR in November. Many shorebirds were in a shallow pool, so I crawled over the dry, cracked mud, laid next to a bush to help lessen my profile, and the birds remained comfortable.
It was late morning, the light was hazy bright, and the mosquitos were horrible...

Technical info:
Canon EOS 40D
Canon 600mm f4
Canon 1.4x
ISO 400 f/5.6 1/3200

Alfred Forns
01-01-2008, 06:48 PM
... but you got one Sweet image !!!!! That bg is just gorgeous and low angle makes all the difference Big Congrats !!!!

Maxis Gamez
01-01-2008, 06:53 PM
Hey Brian, Welcome!

I really like the BG and low angle. One thing I would do is to push the colors a little more and use a hair more USM. Otherwise an excellent image as it is!

Bryan Holliday
01-01-2008, 06:56 PM
thanks guys! maxis... what is USM? maybe i'm having a mental block :)

Maxis Gamez
01-01-2008, 07:00 PM
thanks guys! maxis... what is USM? maybe i'm having a mental block :)

Hi Bryan,

Sorry about that. I mean a little more sharpening. USM= Unsharp Mask or Smart Sharpening.

George DeCamp
01-01-2008, 07:01 PM
Welcome Brian!

This is a beautiful image, it almost has a painterly feel to it. Not sure how I could make this any better but perhaps a kiss of fill flash, funny it doesn't look like a bright day but rather subdued. Yo did a really nice job with this image!

Fabs Forns
01-01-2008, 07:01 PM
Big welcome Bryan!!!!

Way to make a grand entrance!!!!
Very smooth and well balanced image.

Maxis means Unsharp Mask, a little more sharpening.

Congratulations on a fine image, worth your trouble :)

Bryan Holliday
01-01-2008, 07:04 PM
Ok, I'll tweak it a little more. I've already sharpened some. There's a bit of heat distortion, therefore the softer, painterly feel. Thanks for all your input and compliments!

Andrew McCullough
01-01-2008, 07:08 PM
Love the low angle and the bg is beautiful.

Arthur Morris
01-01-2008, 07:13 PM
I love this one, the mood, the fog, the quality of the light, and of course, the low perspective. It is my belief, however, that to create a prize winning image of this species, you must capture that ruby-red eye.

Later and love, artie

Wil Hershberger
01-01-2008, 07:16 PM
Certainly a gorgeous image. I really like the blended background and muted colors. I too wish that the eye were more defined.

Gyorgy Szimuly
01-01-2008, 08:47 PM
Like the pastel colors of the distant bg. Nice composition.
I find it a bit soft.
Szimi

darrell-t
01-02-2008, 06:21 PM
Great job. I love the BG and soft feeling of the image.
The pose would be hard to improve on, as well.