Black-Necked Stilt

[Robert Holguin]

Hello everyone. I really love these birds and I only get to photograph them once a year so I have been spending some time with them. Here is one from the other day. Hope you enjoy. C&C welcomed and encouraged.
Camera - Nikon 300s, Lense - Nikon 200-400 w/ 1.4tc, Exposure - 1/500, Aperture - F8, ISO 250, Metering - Multi Segment, Aperture Priority

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Robert, these guys always seem to produce the goods when it comes to poses. Love the raised leg. The overall exposure looks good, and comp wise, I would add a little to the right, and much more to the LHS.

[Ben_Sadd]

Nice looking bird. I think you have done well to get details in both the blacks and the whites. I would prefer the dark wavy line not to be in the background, but it does not greatly detract from the image. I do agree with Stuart that a horizontal crop giving the bird more space, especially to the left, would improve it.

[Michael Lotito]

Wonderful bird and background. The leg position is excellent. Wonderful!

[gail bisson]

Very nice details in the blacks and whites. I like the pose. Agree about comp,
Gail

[Arthur Morris]

SH, EXP perfect. Nice pose. You needed either to zoom out a whole bunch or go much easier with the Crop Tool.... What focal length at capture? May we see the full frame original? Love the BKGR color.

[Robert Holguin]

Thank you all very much for all the comments and advice. Much appreciated.

Arthur - I have plenty of of room all around here is the original.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6060958974_940a094bb2_b.jpg

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Robert. You suffer from CSS: Central Sensor Syndrome.... Here, you needed to select a focusing sensor on the right side of the veiwfinder (or use rear focus and re-compose) in order to get the bird out of the center of the frame.... As is you can improve the image with a looser crop but it is always better to do it right in the field. As others have said, the bird needs lot more room in the frame.

Please post the focal length at the moment of capture when you post an image. Thanks a stack BTW for your membership support.

[Robert Holguin]

Arthur - thank you very much for the great advice. Much appreciated.

[Arthur Morris]

Mon pleasir. That is what we are here for.