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Thread: Kingfisher Exit

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Kingfisher Exit

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    Okay, so I've a love-hate affair with Malachite Kingfishers. I love trying to photograph them in action and hate that I suck at it so badly.
    I am trying to get a great diving/exit shot of them fishing naturally - thus no baiting. It's hard. They are small, lightning quick and very erratic/unpredictable.

    This is one of my best so far...except that it has flaws...at least as far as my normal workflow goes. Those who know me know that I haven't cloned anything out of or extended canvas on any of my natural history images for a long time now, the better part of 3 years...(I do sometimes resort to these techniques when busy with a fine art monochrome work - as I see that as having a different purpose). With this image I decided to break that habit a bit...just for this one...

    I cloned out the elbow of the perch it dived from from the top LHS corner, and extended some canvas to the top as the bird was close to the edge-of-frame there.
    I will keep this one until I can nail the shot naturally without having to do any of this to the image...

    I hope you all have a blessed Christmas! See you after the 26th.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    f7.1 @ 1/6400 SS @ ISO-5600


    Last edited by Peter Kes; 12-21-2012 at 09:12 AM.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    This shot is amazing because I know how technically difficult this shot is. As you say, these birds are very erratic in their flight and getting this tiny 3 inch high speedster tack sharp is awesome.
    I really like the HA as well with the nice catchlight.
    A great shot,
    Gail
    PS Would do another round of NR on the water

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    This is an awesome capture! Sharp eye, great posture with body,head and bill pointing upwards (with a tiny fish, I guess), and beautiful jewel-tone colors. I really like the rings of disturbed water. Adds to the entire drama.

    Have a joyful holiday!

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    The thumbnail was great, but the larger version blows it out of the water (see what I did there?!). Great image Morkel. The color on this guy is really something else. You captured this moment very nicely, and I don't think I'd change anything about it.

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    Striking image, Morkel. Great moment captured the water adds a lot tho the image so is the bird's position in the air.

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Great capture of this King fisher. Sharp where it needs to be and well exposed. Im sure it took a few shots to get this. Great looking color on these guys. Well done.

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    Forum Participant John Cooper's Avatar
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    A great effort on your part Morkel - I know how difficult these captures are to execute.
    I like the very sharp head here and the caught prey in its bill. Well done!

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    Can see no reason why you say you suck at this......it's a great shot, magnificent looking bird, myb only thought for a slight improvement would be to add more noise reduction to just the water and backdrop

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    Magnificent image of great moment.Very nice pose,sharpness,details,colors and blue water.Love it.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Great moment captured the water adds a lot tho the image so is the bird's position in the air.

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    Morkel you pulled this off so nicely, amazing takeoff with water splash Wow love it well done.

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    Super technical achievement by my standards Morkel. Great shot! Love the colours, eye catch and fine detail.

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    Very nicely done Morkel! love the iridescence on its back. Keep up the good work.

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  27. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks folks!!
    Morkel Erasmus

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