Woodland Kingfisher, Kruger National Park, South Africa

[Chris van Rooyen]

I tried a new technique this morning. This bird was sitting in the shade of thick foliage. Instead of using fill flash, I trained a spotlight on the bird to bring out the colours. Personally I like the result, but would like to hear what you think. All comments welcome.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:02:07 06:30:06
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 500mm

[Axel Hildebrandt]

What a beautiful bird. I'm not sure I've seen this species before. Thanks for sharing. I like the details, and composition. A smoother BG would have been great but I like it as is.

Very interesting technique. It would be very interesting to compare this lighting technique and regular fill flash.

[Fabs Forns]

Very interesting technique, if there's time to do it in the field. It looks like it worked :)

Very nicely done and thanks for sharing your idea and results :)

[Scott Linstead]

I'd say the result is great -- very subtle with some shadow still visible under the branch. I would be tempted to try some selective warming of the subject so that it matches the color temp of the BG.

Scott

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely image and interesting technique, Chris. I have used a similar technique with some landscape/tree photos but not thought to try it on birds. It has been very successful here. I often find kingfishers rather skittish and would be concerned that the spotlight would scare them - did you notice any disturbance? I love the composition - the perch and leaves above teh bird balance it nicely to my eye. Look forward to more.

[Arthur Morris]

Tony, This bird is usually pretty tame. Chris, Just lovely. Would get rid of the two dead leaves upper middle and the tiny stalk ulc.

Boys and Girls: All of those trying to understand my missives on the proper head angle are invited to burn this one onto their brains. It is perfecto.

later and love, artie

[Dean Ingwersen]

Gorgeous Chris. Agree with comments mentioned already, but that head angle is killer.

[Maxis Gamez]

What a lovely looking bird. The composition, exposure and BG are fantastic. The only thing I would do is to clone out the drive lift in the BG.

[Arthur Morris]

What a lovely looking bird. The composition, exposure and BG are fantastic. The only thing I would do is to clone out the drive lift in the BG.

Hi Maxis, I am confused: what is the "drive lift"?

later and love, artie

[Mike Wilson]

Love the combination of light on bg and the spot you used on the bird, what an effective combo, soft and subtle, but it definitely has a different feel, well done. An incredible image, I can't take my eyes off the bird.

[Steve Wheeler]

Gorgeous bird and image! Perfect light and pose.

Steve

[Glenn Bartley]

What an absolutely gorgeous bird. Your technique worked very well IMO.

[John Ippolito]

Stunning bird and image. Also a very creative way around the lighting challenge.