Great Crested Grebes

[Austin Thomas]

I was pleased to see this Great Crested Grebe today, back at a local pond where they bred successfully last year.

I don't imagine that this will be to everyones taste. On a still day the water can be quite a pleasing brown shade. Today it was even darker, so I underexposed to enhance the effect.

HERE (http://www.austin-thomas.co.uk/blog/?p=210) is a pair of Grebes taken at the same place last year but with the brown water background for those interested


C&C welcome.

Canon 1DMK4, 800mm, f5.6, 1/1600, ISO800

Cheers

Austin

[Randy Stout]

Austin:

I think this is very nice, moody,effective.
With light angle well off to the left, the head turn allows it to work, as the face/eye has enough light to show well.

I like the dark water also.

Cheers

Randy

[Chris Korman]

High drama on the quiescent pond! Good lighting.

[Ian Cassell]

Austin, I like this one very much. The dark water really sets him off. I'd be inclined to crop out most of the reflection as I'm not sure it adds much.

[Kristin Brown]

Austin,
This really works for me! I like that it is different.
The eye really pops for me. I would leave the crop just as it is. JMO...
Cheers

[Michael Lloyd]

I really like the lighting on this one. Nice work!

[Jonathan Ashton]

I don't normally go for dark backgrounds but this is a gem, love it. the exposure and detail on the grebe is excellent. My only slight reservation is that the bird is perhaps a little central in the frame.

[Gary Esman]

Very nice, really like this style of shot and your execution was awesome. :cheers:

Gary.

[Stu Bowie]

Super pose and HA Austin, and I like what you have done to the water BG. I would maybe move him back to the left a tad.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Austin I agree with the comments above and like the image. Very effective use of light conditions and the head turn is just right. I might consider toning down the bright area on the bill a touch.

[Alan Lillich]

I think you made a great choice going for the mood of the dark background, and in keeping the whole reflection even though it isn't very clear. The light from the rear and head turn into the light all fit.

[Neil Nourse]

Austin,
I like this shot very much. Just like the whole mood the dark background brings to this shot. Well done.

[Todd Frost]

Very nice Austin. I like the dark water/bg with the dramatic lighting. Good and sharp. Well done.
TFS
Todd

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Quite a dramatic shot !!