A different Perspective

[Stu Bowie]

A little while ago, I posted a Saddle-billed stork front on, so I thought I would post an image of a Hornbill front on. As I was only 3.5 m away, I dont believe stopping right down would have got the bill all in focus. As it was, I was struggling with ss. Taken in the Kruger National Park last month.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/500
F/8
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held

[Marc Mol]

Just superb Stuart, the ruffled neck and that look right down the lens with a killer BG!
Love the composition.:cheers:
TFS

[Gary Esman]

It is 6:30 am... is this a mirror? i agree this is cool. :cool:

[Nancy Bell]

I always enjoy front-on views as they present the bird in a less formal fashion, and they make me smile :). Details are exquisite. Could this be made into a vertical?

[Troy Lim]

Certainly refreshing, I love to shots like this too!!!

[Pieter de Waal]

Good thinking Stuart and nice stare.Good exposure and defenition. I notice how well your sharpening technique has worked here.TFS.

[Craig Brelsford]

Another eye-catching image from you, Stu. Congratulations. You're probably right that stopping down wouldn't have done much for the bill. I might have tried a shot or two at f22 just to see what would have happened.

[Doug Brown]

Excellent image Stuart! It really highlights those incredible eyelashes! I like the square crop with the bird right in the middle.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the kind words.

Nancy, I was trying for a vertical here, but also wanted to leave space on either side of the wings.

[James Salywoda]

Awesome!!! Excellent perspective very nicely done Stuart..... Great 3D feel to it.

[Indranil Sircar]

Excellent perspective, Stuart. The details are exquisite. With those ruffled feathers, the stork seems to be getting ready to check out lens! TFS.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[Tim Munsey]

LOL, well done for getting this view!
Splendid stuff

Tim

[Tony Whitehead]

Great job, Stu, Really haughty feel. I wonder about cropping even tighter - especially off the top to raise the eyes up to a 1/3.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Lots of fun here. Nicely composed and executed.
Even going to f/16 with your other settings would have only netted 1.2" DOF, so no chance to get it all in.

Might consider a very light dodge of the eyes. They are so well shaded by lashes and brow, that they are a bit subdued.

Keep up the creative work. Next, I expect to see tail on shots:2eyes2:

Cheers

Randy

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Stuart,

A little late here but I wanted to tell you how much I liked this crazy shot. The coolest part is the eyelashes hanging out over its eyes. This is a very three-dimensional shot and I can almost smell this critter. Maybe a little off the top would be worth a look but well-done as is.

DB

[Christoph Belanger]

Looks like something from the Muppets... i love it. the expression, exposure and out-of-the box comp look great.

[Sid Garige]

Image with an attitude. Love it Stuart.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

That's awesome bro! Love the stare. I know I am probably dreaming, but a bit more DOF would have made even bigger a killer shot! And judging by the Exif, I think you could have done it! :cool: Ooops, I just read what you wrote in the OP. Still, may have helped a touch.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the kind words. Always appreciated.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Stuart, this is one heck of a shot. The bill s so thin that it not being within DOF does not bother me at all. Well seen. Great details.

vertical will look nice too. With this crop, if mine, I'd have take a tad off the top to get the eyes at ROT.

[Jim Crosswell]

Top quality image Stuart! The eyelashes and expression are amazing.

[Stu Bowie]

Kaus, Jim, thanks a stack guys.