Red Skimmer at Dawn

[Arthur Morris]

Created this one with the Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens, the 2X III TC, and the EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/100 sec. at f/10. Had I known my shutter speed was so low I would have raised the ISO to 800.....

To learn how I screwed up big time on the morning that I created this image, click here. The fourth image down was made just moments before this one. I stood ankle deep in the Atlantic for both.

As for the image, don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent excellent love how the feather details and tones have been preserved despite the strong back light. agree with higher ISO.

[Allen Sparks]

Hi Arthur, I like the image with the orange backlighting. Has a unique feel to it IMO........ --Allen

[Loi Nguyen]

Artie, lovely image, you handled a difficult lighting situation very well here. Many folks including me would not take a shot like this I imagine. I will try to pick on something here and that is I would like to see a little more of the eye and the head angle slightly towards the viewer ;)

[Shawn Zierman]

Cool image, I like how much of the bird's plumage can be made out, and I enjoy the bit of shadow play.
I think you should add a catchlight... :) Just kidding, maybe just change the title to "Skimmer on Mars".

[Grace Scalzo]

Well seen...it's a unique creation. Nice to come away from Nickerson with something fresh, like this is.

[Satish Ranadive]

Arthur Sir,
Wonderful scheme with beautiful back light. Parallel lines with beautiful lights and shadow of legs looks superb,great composition. Apt title too.
Love it.

Regards,
Satish.

[Ivan Ellison]

Nice image, not easy to get right. I did something similar with a sunset and some grebes. lots of duff ones but great when one or two work out.

[Manjeet & Yograj Jadeja]

awesome lighting here, loved the wider angle in the link more due to its dreamy tones and feel

[Daniel Cadieux]

That is pretty neat Artie. I like the rim lighting around the subject.

[adrian dancy]

Image comp is fine and I like the hint of plumage detail for this backlit image. The colour is drop dead gorgeous. Nice work.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all for your kind comments. On my first try with this image I could not get either the color or the look right. But after I had success with the wider image n the blog I re-visited thisone. The 2nd time was the charm.

Loi, sorry but the head angle here is 100% perfect.... Perhaps you are seeing some sort of optical illusion :).

[Chris Martinez]

Love the solitude this frame exudes. Serenity also come to mind. I also like the warm feelings this induces.
There are two dust bunnies one on either edge of the frame, upper 1/5 of the frame. Another bunny at the bird's eye level half way between the bird's bill and the right side of the frame.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks on all counts Chris. There were more than two :). I repaired the TIFF.

[Marina Scarr]

This is quite unique and I love that rim lighting. My favorite part of this image is actually the sand and its textures and lines.