Marivale Malachite

[Jan Saunders]

Canon 1D X
Canon 800mm 5.6 L IS Lens
Aperture priority at f6.3
1/2000 shutter speed
ISO 400
underexposed at 1/3 stop.

This photo was taken from a hide at the Marivale Bird Sanctuary, South Africa. I used a monopod with a Gimble head as support.

[Randy Stout]

Jan:

Spectacular colors, so saturated. I suspect there may be some overexposing in the blue and possibly red channel. Interesting look back pose, foot showing. Neutral background helps the bird pop.

In a perfect world, I would prefer the end of the perch to not stick up above the birds head. With this head angle, I would consider cropping some from the top, perhaps 40% of the free space.

Cheers

Randy

[Jonathan Ashton]

A fine looking shot, I like the pose and the background. I would suggest you clone the top of the perch, it is a big distraction. I appreciate thee are very colourful birds but I sense the image is a little oversaturated, it may be worthwhile checking the raw conversion and holding down the Alt key as you check parameters.
(Sorry if you already know this).

[Randy Stout]

Jan:

I came back to the image, and would also add a sliver of canvas on the right, to get him away from the frame edge.

Cheers

Randy

[Travis Reid]

Excellent photography..

[Marina Scarr]

You did such a great job on exposing for this gorgeous bird. The details, colors and BG are amazing. However, I really feel that the perch going up the back of the bird's head hurts the image.

[PhilCook]

Stunning color and exposed pefectly imo, I can see the benefit of removing the extended branch, but really the bird just grabs the eye and anything else is secondary....I think i would add a little more canvas to the right....but all in all....gorgeous shot !

[Shawn Zierman]

That is one gorgeous kingfisher! Love the bg control. Yes to too much space on the top of the frame (due to the direction of the bird's gaze).

[Satish Ranadive]

Very very sweet image with magical colors.

Regards,
Satish.