I was taking photos of this Green Heron while laying down on a boardwalk, when it came within a few feet in front of me, grabbed a baby frog, and did a frog toss. I wish I could have backed up a bit, but I couldn't. I also wish my shutter speed had been faster, as there is some movement blur in the beak. I tried to minimize the background (shadows and such from the surrounding cat-tails) as much as I could in post. I liked it because it captured the frog toss, but not sure if it's too tight of a shot to work. I tried adding some canvas, but it seemed off balance. As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome and appreciated. (Nikon D7000/500mm f/4-P, 1.6x TC @ 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 400 on tripod, gimbal at 8:10 am.)
What a bummer for the frog!....But an awesome image never the less. You captured a decisive moment here. I really like the focus and concentration in the heron's eye...what a killer. Could the image have been improved at the time of capture...? Sure. But your self critique shows that you are firmly aware of that... Great frame.
Hi Jeannean, I feel the crop works as posted, as the focus is on the feeding behaviour. Well timed for the frog toss, and I do like the detail and colours on the heron, together with the concentrated look. The motion blur on the bill does not look that bad, and I would try and just selectively sharpen the bill to see if you can improve any more sharpness.
Thank you Shawn and Stuart. I appreciate the comments. Stuart, I know you can't make something sharp that isn't, but also know there are ways in post to help. I wasn't sure about sharpening the beak more, so went back and tried that. It did help, but it needed just a bit more "something", so I tried the "hard" clone tool set just above the line of the beak that was most blurred. To me, it looks less blurry, not good, but better I guess. I don't know why I didn't up my ISO! Another lesson in the field.
Jeannean, I think the RP is definitely better. I like the great details of the eye and feathers and the focus here is on the feeding behavior, not portrait. Yes, we are all guilty of not upping the ISO at times. Well done. Loi
Frog tossing Green Heron
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