Lilacbreasted Roller

[Stephen Earle]

I captured this image of my favourite Southern African bird in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
40 D, ISO 250, 500 f4, 1/2000, 7.1, monopod with ballhead. You're comments are appreciated as always.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Nice looking bird,i really like the clean BG,colors and the action!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool pose and timing. The head looks as if there is some motion blur. I hope a little selective sharpening will help.

[David Hemmings]

My, what a colorful species, nice pose you captured here, I see the softness around the head, perhaps motion blur as Axel suggested.

[Paul Pagano]

Fantastic bird and I like the pose.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Looks like even 1/2000s. wasn't enough to prevent subject motion blur (although your exif indicates it was 1/1600s.) Good timing, I like the one foot still clutching the perch and the other about to let go!

[Alfred Forns]

Not sure if it is motion or just having an extra usm Very close and will be easier to make it sharper Excellent action Love the full up wing position !!!

[Dave Phillips]

striking upwing pose..agree, try to sharpen up around beak and head.
It's a hanger!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I just applied some smart sharpening to head and body and 'improved' the catchlight.

[Cindy Cone]

What a wonderful pose for this beautiful species, Stephen. I like the improvements by Axel, too.

[Victor Soares]

Nicely done Stephen !! It's always nice to see these guys. Agree with comments above and love the way Axel has "perfected" it. My own personal nit is that I am really not a fan of plain blue sky as a background (but that's just me). Great work.

[Stephen Earle]

Thx everyone for commenting. I looked at it again this morning and agree that it wasn't as sharp as could be. Thx Axel for the repost it looks great. I tried my hand at it this morning but nothing that's obviously better than Axel's.

[Arthur Morris]

Wonderful image; love the pose and the moment. Excellent comments above and excellent work on the repost.

Did you make a Shadow/Highlight adjusment on the underwings?

later and love, artie

[Peter Murray]

My Favorite bird and you have a wonderful shot of it. Bravo. Pete Murray

[Stephen Earle]

Thx for the further comments everyone. Arthur, yes, I did a s/h adjustment on the underwing and also ran a noise filter on it. Daniel, you're right. I checked the exif again it is 1/1600. I must have mistyped or something.

[Rosl Roessner]

You captured a really good moment! Like the upwing pose and the position of the feet!
A wonderful bird!

[Arthur Morris]

Stephen et al, Here's the trick. When you make a large SH adjustment and the area begins to look muddy and noisy, move the midtone contrast slider up to 8-12 and it will usually show a huge improvement...

later and love, artie

[Patrick Jeudy]

Wow a killer Capture !! great shot !!

[Stephen Earle]

Thx Arthur for the tip, I've tried it and it works. Thx also for your kind comments.