Snowy Egret Faces the Sunrise

[Garry Gibson]

A Snowy Egret is facing the sunrise in the Everglades.

I know that there is a dark side facing us, but I wanted to show
the sun shining on his beak and eyes. I also like the brown of
the Everglades in the winter.

Canon 40D, 100-400L 400MM f5.6 f1/2000 ISO 800
Cropped slightly, auto contrast and some vibrance added.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/4178009666_8a90998fbf_o.jpg

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gary - Like the inclusion of the Habitat - always going to be difficult with a white bird in anything but soft light - also best with even illumination. There is a strong blue cast to the side of the bird in the shade, does depend on taste but I like to have my whites white!
Head angle is turned slightly away - but lets say he is concentrating on something in that direction - like the open beak. Bird does seem to be lacking in detail??? Did you apply any noise reduction to the bird??
Looking forward to seeing more :)

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Garry,
The natural habitat is super...your subject suffers from harsh lighting...agree with Mr. Peters on the techs. and good advise given...the whites look a tad on the hot side and lacking details on both the dark area and the lit area. With these guys, its a matter of practice and more practice...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Garry Good points brought up and fully agree, can add I wish the bird was not place in the center of the image. Placing more to the left and a bit lower would clean up the bg and give space for the bird to start into !!

Habitat images are more difficult than isolating a bird, do try to make them at every opportunity !!! Glad your going after them !!!

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

I like your idea, just wish that the white on the neck and face weren't blown out so you could have details on those parts. I like how you include the habitats, there is an OOF water in the background, so to me in this image it looks like the bird is looking for water.

[wendell westfall]

I like everything about it except the placement of the bird. I agree with Alfred's suggestion on that.

[Garry Gibson]

I appreciate all the comments. I made two changes in the photo.
I did a quick mask and got rid of the noise reduction on the egret. I see a little noise
in the dark part of the bird, but it did bring out some detail.

I also used Alfred's advice and changed the crop. Here is the revised edition.
Again, thanks to all for your advice and comments.

Garry

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4180472458_8b988af9e8_o.jpg

[Julian Mole]

Hi Gary,

Nice repost. I think you have improved the image a lot with the adjustments you've made.

Good stuff,

Julian.