Pale Chanting Goshawk

[Chris van Rooyen]

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa is a great place for photographing raptors, where I created this image of a juvenile goshawk. I like photographing dramatic subjects such as raptors with side - light, to me it accentuates their sleek shapes and add a touch of drama. All comments welcome.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Date/Time: 2007:06:22 09:40:27
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 500mm

[Arthur Morris]

Man, you are too good. Love the "look," the light, the COMP, the BKGR. All that despite a less than ideal light angle... Did you use some SH/H on the back?

Later and love and keep the great stuff coming, artie

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great pose, details and BG. I would give it a bit more room at the top but like it as is.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Gorgeous image Chris with awesome lighting and the flight pose is outstanding. Love the look and eye contact you captured in this image. Beautiful work and timing. !!!

[Doug Brown]

Love the bird; great eye contact. Also love the wing position, crop, and BG. Great photo!

[Alfred Forns]

One fine image Chris You are right about the side light accentuating shapes (and also contrast) Does make them look good They also have some drawbacks in rendering parts of the bird darker In this case would have preferred the direct light for even illumination Either way love the image Unique pose with a killer bg !!!!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Hi guys, thanks for the comments:-). Artie, yes I did use shadow /highlight to bring back the shadow detail and I also used curves to reduce the magenta in the blues.

[Jim Poor]

This is a really powerful pose for me. Nice color in the BG that really goes well with the bird.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

I really love the pose and the color of BG!!!

[Vincent Grafhorst]

Chris... I am speechless... I am already looking forward to seeing this in Africa Birds & Birding.

Cheers,

Vincent

[Maxis Gamez]

This is gorgeous! love the look and BG. You have a winner here!

[Keith Bauer]

I have no idea how to make this any better. Well, there is one thing..... Print it VERY big and hang it on your wall. Congrats on this very fine image.

[Caroline Darmo]

Another gorgeous work of art. I love your style Chris, powerful stuff.

[David Steele]

A beautiful shot and lovely angle.