This was captured in the Kruger National Park, and these guys like to hang around at the picnic spots where they can get all the scraps of food from passing visitors. Since they would normally perch on one of the thick wooden fences, a portrait is always the way to go. The BG is OOF gravel.
Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/2000
F/6.3
ISO 400
Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held
07-08-2011, 12:19 AM
Mike Milicia
And a very nice portrait it is!
Excellent detail and great BG!
07-08-2011, 12:30 AM
Ofer Levy
Very nice portrait.
07-08-2011, 01:08 AM
Sidharth Kodikal
Amazing portrait, Stuart. Perfect bg, comp, light and sharpness.
Very nice work.
07-08-2011, 02:36 AM
arash_hazeghi
excellent sharpness and details, I like the eye lashes and their shadows, looks like a model!
07-08-2011, 05:27 AM
Dumay de Boulle
Exceptional IQ and great BG. agree with the eyelash shadows, adds big time appeal
07-08-2011, 06:06 AM
Stu Bowie
Thanks a stack for the feedback guys.
07-08-2011, 07:01 AM
Randy Stout
Stuart:
Very nice, what a character, lots of positives as mentioned above. I like the ruffled feathers, and pleasant BG with a color that goes very well with the bird.
Cheers
Randy
07-08-2011, 07:19 AM
denise ippolito
Beautiful Stuart! Love the clear eye and sharpness.:S3:
07-08-2011, 01:32 PM
Nico Steenberg
Great sharpness and exposure. The bg is a killer. Well captured Stu !
07-08-2011, 03:17 PM
Stu Bowie
Thanks a stack for all the kind words.
07-09-2011, 10:34 AM
Craig Brelsford
I can imagine that although these hornbills are fairly tame that getting this shot wasn't a piece of cake. It would be only too easy to allow man-made structures into the BG. Instead, you've given us a uniform, earth-tone BG that nicely complements the plumage of the hornbill. I too like the feathers being ruffled, presumably by the wind; the ruffled feathers remind us that this shot wasn't taken in a portrait studio but is indeed a photo of a wild bird.
07-09-2011, 10:52 AM
Stu Bowie
Thanks a stack for your feedback Craig. Always appreciated.
07-09-2011, 02:13 PM
Steve Canuel
Hi Stuart,
You really do an outstanding job with this hornbills. Color and detail are excellent. This one has such a nice quality of depth to it that I keep expecting this bird to tun his head and nip my fingers while I type.