Rippled juvi loon - Loon Lighting Project

[Randy Stout]

This 3 week old juvi was imaged in northern Michigan about 2 weeks ago. I have been trying to expand my lighting styles for the loons, and my last few posts have been part of that effort. I liked the ripples and varied colors which play well with the loons color.
I used a touch of fill flash to change the light balance on the bird slightly without washing out the nice side lighting.

D300 500mm f/4 TC14 1/1000s f6/3 ISO 500 Manual exposure center weighted SB800 -2, no beamer
Pedestal mounted in my boat with Wimberley V2

Post: Curves, selective sharpening 30% crop for comp. Removed flash catchlight

Advice always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Mike Fuhr]

Wow -- that is a KILLER background. The colors look wonderful and downy feathers are super sharp. What a great shot (and I'm not saying that because you helped w some great advice on the owl shot :))!

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Randy,

The colors and silky texture of the water are stunning and in my opinion they make this image fantastic. The bird presents well with a good head angle and good detail and the reflection adds interest. Lovely! Thanks much for sharing.

[Danny J Brown]

Beautiful catch of this fuzzy little beauty and Mike is right about the background - and foreground - really special here. I imagine you struggled a little with the leveling on this one as it depends on what element you want to level to get to the right spot.

DB

[Fabs Forns]

I'm putting on a request for a visit with you in Michigan :)
Really impressed with your Loon series, as I've told you before.
I am amazed at the water on this one, really sweet, Randy.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the low angle, water colors and patterns and the eye contact looks good, too. Composition works well. I would remove the catchlight in the reflection, too.

[Troy Lim]

Reflection on the water is amazing, love it.
Personal taste, just a bit dark. Love your series. Keep them coming.

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, Excellent light, and good use of fill flash, sharp detail, and you have captured a perfect HA too. Interesting colours and texture from the water, and with regards to rotation, looks fine as is, but if you lined up the tips of the bills, a very slight CCW rotation is needed.

[christopher galeski]

very nice shot Randy,love the water colors magic,and the detail in the downy feathers,you can really feel the softness,and the lighting is quite magical.thanks.

[James Salywoda]

Such a little beauty Randy great choice for composition the colors on the water really go nicely with the Loon chick.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input. I checked the bill to bill alignment, 1.1 degrees CCW would square it up. With all the ripples, it didn't bother me much, but Stuart was right.

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Gorgeous!!!!

[Hendri Venter]

The flash did the trick here. Fantastic detail and colours. Well done!