Leaf out of Arties book..APFC

[Sachin Saraf]

I owe this and all my images from my India trip to our fellow Avian photographer and BPN member Satish Randive. When I went there I wanted to simply photograph one bird (APFC) and was not expecting to get to see and photograph so many species. But thanks to Satish sir and group of photographer's, he introduced me to, who helped me cover maximum number of species in the area during my short stay.

It was always difficult to frame these birds in the image to do justice to their character and beauty. So I took a leaf out of Arties book and took three vertical shots and stitched them without any problem in PS. Thank you Artie for sharing all your knowledge with us and your blog has wealth of knowledge for all to learn.

This is molting juvenile male Asian Paradise Flycatcher. When full grown, except for head, this will completely turn bright white.

I was thinking of cloning some part of perch coming out of frame but simply left it as is. Hope you all like it and C&C are welcome and most appreciated.



Slightly larger version for better details here

PP: Added some canvas, NR on BG, sharpening, curves adjustment and some clean up on face.
EXIF: 1D MK IV| 1/640| ƒ/5.6 | ISO 1600 | 500 mm Hand held

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the inquisitive pose, soft light, HA and complimentary BG. I would tone down the bright spot of the perch in front of the bird. Congrats on getting your bird and kudos to Satish for his assistance. Very well done Sachin!

[Troy Lim]

Very nice catch...I am wondering how it would look with a little more contrast.

[Colin Driscoll]

Very nicely done and what a striking bird. You have whet my appetite as I plan to spend a month in India at the end of this year.

[PhilCook]

Spectacular looking bird Sachin and well done on the stitch work. Liking very much the inquisitive look and smooth backdrop. I see your dilemma regarding to clone out some of the perch or not, I think leaving it as is was a wiser idea, although the oof front section does catch my eye a little. Composed in the frame very nicely, and the only other thing I would wish for would be slightly deeper dof to get the long.....long............long tail in focus

[Dave Johnson]

Hi Sachin. We get the black paradise flycatcher as a summer visitor here in Japan and can't wait to have a go at them! I'm going to be having exactly the same composition problems as you though and if I can bag a shot half as good as this I'll be happy! Super shot and PP work, well done.

[Satish Ranadive]

Sachin:
Love the inquisitive pose,colors,details and composition.Nice pp work.

Regards,
Satish.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Sachin, I thought our long-tailed widow birds had long tails, but that is some tail. Excellent pp work to stitch your 3 images together ( I must try that some time ). Love the blue iridescence on the head, and if anything, I would just tone down the BG.

[Sachin Saraf]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments..Troy I will try a version with slight contrast boost.