Oystercatcher pair

I had to think hard to create this image. First I had to approach this sweet pair in a way that did not cause them to separate and run and lower my tripod to get the angle that I wanted. Then I had to choose an f-stop that allowed me to get them both sharp and focus properly. This is the result. Thank you for looking and for your comments.

f13, ISO 400, 1/640 (Incident metered and compensation dialed in for the whites and confirmed via histogram check)

Canon 50D, 500 mm f4 + 1.4tc + lowered tripod

Grace:

Your hard work paid off. Very nice image. I am most impressed with the exposure control. Not only are the whites good, but I often see the red channel blown on the beak. Looks good here.

I like the symmetry of their bills and heads. Nice low angle, pleasing background, sharp.

In a perfect world, I wish the shadow of the bill wasn't there, but that is a minor point.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Randy

What I like best about this is how you saw the situation, took your time to devise a strategy, and once thought out you delivered. I agree with Randy about the shadow (especially the bill). Would also look into toning down the leg a bit to bring out the pink/flesh colour on it. I'd personally prefer a slightly beter head angle on the standing bird. Very well executed and enjoyable to look at :-)

Very nicely done, it pays to plan your image, you are creating there :)

I wonder if moving to the right would have been an option, for better angles and maybe minimize the shadow?

Fabs, great question about moving to the right, and I had to look back through this series to find the answer. I have one image where the standing bird has a nice head angle toward me, no shadow. Laying down bird, turned away. (Looking at the ocean). Had he turned and looked at me as I must have seen, there would have been no shadow. Hard to get two to cooperate! I have another with diff poses that I'll share tomorrow, maybe a bit more pleasing as there are no shadows.

These guys are my favourite marine birds, and you have produced an excellent image here Grace. Brilliant exposure, lovely low angle, and overall, the colours are amazing. Congrats.

See it pays to think !! Hopefully this pair will give as a few little ones to pay with in the summer !

Lovely low angle, don't mind the shadow, but yes, would have been a bit different without it. PErhaps nicer, perhaps not? Colors look superb!

I like the mood and use of DOF. I'm with Fabs on moving to the right.