Dragging Tail

[Doug Brown]

A Bald Eagle from Alaska. When the water's calm, I love how their tail feathers leave a nice wake as they approach their prey. I went with a tight crop for two reasons. First off, I clipped the bird. Secondly, I wanted to emphasize those impressive talons.

Canon 1Dx, 300mm f/2.8 @ f/4.5, 1/3200, ISO 2000, manual exposure, hand held, baited

[Marina Scarr]

This is a very powerful image, Doug, and I love the tail wake. I agree on going tight but I think a different crop could make for a more powerful image. Could you post the original capture?

[Doug Brown]

Here's the full frame image Marina. Let's see what you (or anyone else can do with it).

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Doug, I like your close crop, shows up really excellent sharp detail, and you nailed the exposure too. Those talons are impressive. Here is my version showing another possible crop. Fairly close to your original capture. No pp work done on the image - just showing my crop version.

[vishaljadhav]

I prefer the original Crop , it shows up the main weapons in action.
like the exposure too

[Morkel Erasmus]

I like your tight crop in OP Doug.
Lovely intensity in this. Is that a "bait" lying in the water? If so, what?

[Marina Scarr]

Here's my version. I'll tell you what I have done and why.

I have removed the slight amount of reflection on the bottom of the frame b/c I feel it detracts from the image. I have added space on top and to the left b/c I really like the feather patterns in the upper left hand side of the frame.

WDUT?

[Doug Brown]

I'm liking your repost Marina. Good eye!

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent close up quality! I like the the tight crops...

[Sandy Witvoet]

I'm gonna go outside the group opinion here.... I prefer Doug's full frame with Stuart's crop...the clipped wings rather fade to dark, so, is not a real problem (since the wing tips don't really add to this comp) ... but it shows what the Eagle is actually doing...not just a beautiful bird suspended in air above water. Great capture, Doug!

[Robert Kimbrell]

Thats stunning Doug, I like the tight crops also. Terrific, exposure, eye and talons, But that tail sweep really makes it for me.

[Alan Murphy]

Great detail in the blacks and whites. Strong pose and beautifully photographed. Marina's comp work best for me.

[Doug Brown]

I like your tight crop in OP Doug.
Lovely intensity in this. Is that a "bait" lying in the water? If so, what?

Thanks Morkel! The bait was frozen fish.

[Andre Pretorius]

Stunning capture Doug!

Exposure spot on with good detail underwing and in the whites.

The tail sweep takes in up a notch, those talons are awesome!

Prefer the crop by Marina.

Very,very well done!!

Andre

[Carl Walker]

Stunning capture with all examples Doug

[Jonathan Ashton]

A majestic image, I like the original post, also Stu's crop, I like Marina's but would suggest it is a little clinical.

[Enrique Patino]

tight works best for me. Great image. Frozen fish = floating fish... good idea

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent capture, superb IQ. In between the full size and the close crop, Marina found the happy medium.
Great shooting, Doug.

[Doug Brown]

Thank you all for the feedback!

[Joe Murphy]

The tight crop works great for this shot, really puts emphasis on the business end, great work Doug.

[Bill Jobes]

Excellent work, Doug, in creatively saving a worthy image with the subject, unfortunately, not all in the frame. I can't count the times I've done that !

While your original crop was fine, I favor Marina's, as I too wanted to see more of the trailing wake.

[David Salem]

Im a little late to the party but had to stop and say "Nice one" Love the concentrated pose and the detail in awesome. I like Marina's comp the best then yours next. Very cool shot Doug.