White-backed Vulture

I captured this portrait of a White-backed Vulture in the Kruger National Park at a carcass of a buffalo killed by lions the previous night. The exposure was tricky - going against the norm by photographing a dark subject against a light background in a backlit situation, usually something I avoid. Comments will be welcome as always.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:08:07 07:20:20
Shutter speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
Focal length: 500mm

I love it. The fringe lighting is very nice and you managed to make a vulture look pretty. Well done!

Chris, just shows the anti wrinkle cream does not work, very nice tricky shot, nearly the black cat in the coal cellar, groete Loukie

Very wonderful image and the lighting as Rob mentioned already is just beautiful hitting on the edges of the vulture. Really well done with excellent detail and crop.

Very nice, intimate portrait. The face area is noisy and is likely suffering from under-exposure and subsequent lightening post-processing. A little fill flash would have lightened the face nicely.

Beautiful portrait Chris, well done. The warm rim light and back lighting really makes the image work for me. The details and sharpness are very good also.

Robert

For the lightning situation you had to deal with I think you did very good. The BG though looks a bit bussy. Congratulations!

I had my chances olso bud it didn't worked out the way this picture does. Wonderfull done Chris.

Nicely done Chris,
congrats...I like the up close pose...:cool:

I usually don't care for backlit portraits, but this image is exceptionally well done. The BG is very attractive, and the face has retained detail. The backlighting shows off the texture of the plumage very well. Excellent exposure control.

Thanks guys, I knew I was taking a chance, but its seems the weight of opinion is favourable:-) John I take your point on the fill flash