Lilac-breasted Roller

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hi everyone.

Created this image recently in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa. These rollers are found throughout Southern Africa. I blended/healed many bright spots in the BG where the sky was showing through the branches of the tree behind it. No extra blurring of BG applied.

Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f5.6 @ 1/250 SS @ ISO-500
Exp +0.3
I think I used fill flash here...

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the angle, sharpness, eye contact and interesting perch. The area near the bird in the BG look a bit awkward. Maybe also a slightly wider crop?

[VinceRossi]

Wow are those colors real??

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Axel. did a lot of work so don't think I'll have the time this week to redo (leaving on holiday soon)

here is the out-of-camera version (cropped)...

[Morkel Erasmus]

hi Vince - jip 100% natural colours for this bird. BG was just a blessing as normally you get them against blue sky

[arash_hazeghi]

Beautiful Morkel, more contrast will help here and looks like there is a subtle halo around the bird from processing. Colors are nice. agree wit more room. Well done.

[Betsie Storm]

The roller's colours are very subtle and pretty with this background. I would prefer the beak a tad darker, but that's personal pref. Sympathize with BG fixing work- even with QM and erasing I find it hard to get rid of the bright "halo" when you have bright spots right behind the subject- well done with the OP.

[Ofer Levy]

Lovely image. I agree with the previous comments.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely pose and BG but Morkelbhai IMHO there is something seriously wrong in PP :confused:
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks everyone...reason I posted is to show the lovely bird and also get hints on how to better process the BG?

[James Salywoda]

Really a beauty Morkel I like the repost excellent shot....

[Stu Bowie]

Hey mate, good natural, well exposed colours, and you chose a perfect complimentary BG. Works for me, and well captured.

[Betsie Storm]

I remembered this method of BG fixing- not tried yet. For when you're bored during the holiday :).....http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30942

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Stu & Jim

Betsie - thanks that's an informative link...

[Kiran Poonacha]

loved the soft feel you created Bhai, more a art form this....

[Jay Gould]

Morkel, the multitude of pastel colors are truly amazing, and you sharply captured them so beautifully. How close were you able to get to the bird; how much of a crop is involved?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Kiranbhai and Jay...

Jay - I got some space left - this is probably about 70% of the original image.