The Satara rest camp in the Kruger National Park offers unrivalled opportunities to get close-up portraits of this spectacular species. I used my Manfrotto 055CL tripod with a Manfrotto 501 fluid head, which is my standard gear when I do flash photography on foot. Flash exposure was set at -1/3. the subject was in the shade and the background sunlit, which is a situation that I like to use for fill flash photography. The sunlit background ads some sparkle to the image IMO. All comments welcomed.
Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2008:02:07 11:41:32
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: On
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 700mm
Excellent set up Chris !!! Natural looking fill flash Love the pose and fine detail I'm undecided on the little branch sticking out It sort of balances the space and the bird is so strong it does not grab my attention !!! Bg is very complementing !!! Big Congrats !!!
The best situation for flash use, as you mentioned. well done, the background glows. I like your composition, with the branch providing balance. I'd get rid of the little greenery in the lower right, though.
May I ask how much of a crop this is? I ask because it appears as if the subject is not as sharp as it could be for such a setup. Pehaps F8 might have been better. I would not toss it, just asking. I agree with the little bit of cloning, not often do I say that.
Agree with comments above, but I will also mention the blue half circle between the twig and the branch...it is not ugly but it seems to pull my eye away from the bird too often for comfort. Still a very beautiful photograph :-)
Another excellent photo Chris. And I love the stories you attach to your photos; many forum members have not had the good fortune to photograph birds in South Africa and you make us feel like we are there.
Woodland Kingfisher
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