GE Air Freight

[Keith Carver]

At the St. Augustine Alligator Farm two weeks ago, 8:30 am, high thin clouds, and a constant stream of great egrets and wood storks ferrying sticks to their nests.

EOS 7D, 70-200 f4 at 98 mm, HH
ISO 400, Av + .67 ev
f/5.6, 1/1600 sec
no flash

In the original I slightly clipped two of the right primaries: added canvas on the right, borrowed feathers from another image to repair. USM 125/0.2/0 x 3. Next time I'll use fill flash.

C&C appreciated.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Keith, I like the wing out-strectched wings and the overhead view as this gives us a great view of the under side of the the wings. The nesting material is adds interest. I see good detail in the feathers. I like the light blue sky with a hint of clouds. I agree with you that flash would have helped here. I think it is worth the effort to selectively lighten the bird. I gave it try in photoshop and like the results. Thanks for sharing.

[Keith Carver]

Thanks, Phil. I selectively lightened the bird (screen at 70%) and like this better than the original.

[Keith Carver]

Then one final tweak in this re-repost. I used the blur tool (6 pixels) to soften the shadow lines on the shoulder and on the leading edge of the wings.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Keith, I think the last repost looks pretty good. I like how you blurred the shadow line. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the tip.