This bittern was photographed the last weekend in a lake near Sofia (Bulgaria, Eastern Europe).
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N,
Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM (used at 500 mm)
f7.1 @ 1/1000, ISO 500, weak contrast in the camera, from JPEG file.
Fill flash with Canon Speedlite 580EX II (set at -1) + Better Beamer (special thanks to Raul Quinones for the extensive suggestions for the FF techniques)
PP include eye fix, levels, USM, 15% saturation.
Conditions: Overcast weather, 13:38 PM, slight patter of rain.
Cool pose, soft light and great to have him in the clear. I might add a bit space top and bottom or go for a vertical crop. Thanks for sharing!
06-10-2008, 12:52 PM
Doug Brown
I have been looking at this image for a while and I think a vertical crop is also the way to go. I love the pose, and like how you found an angle without grass blocking the bird. Fill flash makes a big difference; glad to see you're using it successfully.
06-10-2008, 01:41 PM
Jim Poor
Ditto on the vertical presentation. I like the soft look to this image a lot. I wonder if it might be a good candidate for the Orton treatment that Fabs posted about.
06-10-2008, 09:17 PM
Raul Quinones
Great picture, love the bittern "hiding" behavior shown here. I also like the setting.
I am glad that the FF tips are working, which I pick up from this forum. :)
