The Color Before the Sunrise

[Doug Brown]

Sandhills look great in the early morning light shortly after the sunrise when most take flight. But some fly early, before the sun comes up. Here's an image of an early riser; I love the color of the water in the predawn.

Technically speaking, I could have chosen a higher ISO for this low-light image. But I was going for wing blur. Hopefully I got the head sharp enough at 1/200.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/BPN/20091117-MG1060-Sandhill-Crane/719045626_fy9BY-O-2.jpg

Canon 7D, 500mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO 800, manual exposure, hand held

[Dave Leroy]

The colours are lovely Doug. It is a great time of day and you captured it well. Eye looks sharp and perhaps a tad of blur in body. Tough shot. Photo looks nicely processed. Dave

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Doug

The colours do evoke that lovely early morning light, but sadly, overall for me, it's just a tad too soft and the image lacks the clarity and punch that it really deserves. Shooting with the 500mm you really do need 1/500. Apologies for a rather negative POV from a newcomer, however it is only my thoughts :-)

Steve

[Stu Bowie]

The early photographer catches the sandhill. Good placement in the frame Doug, and you succeeded with getting the head sharp. An unusual early morning colour, but I like it. Well captured.

[Doug Brown]

Shooting with the 500mm you really do need 1/500.

If you're striving for sharp, I agree that 1/400 or 1/500 is the bare minimum required. But I was trying for a panning blur (sharp head and blurred body) here Steve. I got what I wanted; whether or not it works for you is a different story. :)

[Greg Basco]

Doug, I think this works really well and you deserve congrats for getting what you wanted out of a tough shooting situation. I think the head is sharp enough and like the degree of blur in the body/wings but agree with Steve that just a little more sharpness would give the image a bit of added punch.

I like the early morning light coming through on the head but I might have been tempted to try just a touch of fill-flash to add some sharpness while allowing you to keep the shutter speed slow. I realize that this would make it a bit of a different type of image and that conditions or etiquette or regulations may not allow use of flash at this spot at this time of morning but it's just an idea.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Steve Kaluski]

Fine Doug, no worries.

[david cramer]

A very difficult shot to make, as that bird has already picked up speed. That eye is almost as sharp as you could expect with no light and low shutter speed. I like how you caught the bird with all water surrounding it.

[Ilija Dukovski]

That is one cool color. The bird is excellent too. Nicely done. Can you tell us what was the temperature setting when shot and did you change it in ACR?

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Doug. I think this works well for the type of image you were after. The sharpness around the eye makes the image work for me. Love the background colors and the OOF birds in the background help give the image a sense of place.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool light and the head is sharp enough IMHO. Do we see other cranes in the BG?

[Doug Brown]

Do we see other cranes in the BG?

Yes you do. Most stay put until after the sun comes up, which is a good thing for photographers!

[James Salywoda]

The head is nice and sharp and the motion in the body definitely giving you the sense of movement a well executed shot.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving ......:)

[Harshad Barve]

Doug , this works well for me , Sharp head looks good here and colors are awesome
TFS

[Dave Barnes]

Hi Doug. I love the colour and the feel captured.
Nice panning. I would also have liked the head to be just a bit sharper, but without loosing the feeling of motion.

[Ofer Levy]

I feel that processing doesn't do justice with this awesome image - happy to repost it with your permission.

[Doug Brown]

I feel that processing doesn't do justice with this awesome image - happy to repost it with your permission.

By all means, feel free Ofer.

[Ofer Levy]

Here it is Doug - some levels, S/H, colour saturation, contrast and selective shapening to the head, NR with NeatImage.
Would love to hear your thoughts.

[Kiran Poonacha]

brightness sure adds a bit here Bhai, nice pose and liked the blur as its adds well.. congrats.

do you have shots with ISO 1600 bhai..

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the repost Ofer. Taking the suggestions into account, here's my repost. I wanted to keep the colors somewhat subdued, since that's what the Crane Pool looks like before the sun comes up.

[Doug Brown]

do you have shots with ISO 1600 bhai..

Sorry but I didn't crank up the ISO to 1600. Maybe I'll try that the next time I go down. I should have my 1D Mark IV by then! :D

[Jim Crosswell]

The repost looks great. I would say you achieved your goal of having the head sharp. Well done Doug!