Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: Striped Woodpecker

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default Striped Woodpecker

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This Striped Woodpecker was photographed at Torres del Paine National Park in Chile with the tripod mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS II, the 2X III TC, and the EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering +1 1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/10 in Av mode.

    Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF as framed active at the moment of exposure.

    Cell phone audio/100% natural perch in situ.

    Av mode? I thought that real photographers and all professional photographers work in Manual mode all the time. Not.... I work in Manual mode most of the time, but.... To find out when and why I occasionally work in Av, Tv, or even--gasp--Program mode, check out my Sunday afternoon blog post "At Long Last, As Promised: the Greatest, Most Educational Blog Post Ever? Manual… Av… Tv… Program… Which is The Best Shooting Mode?" by clicking here.

    As for the image, don't be shy; all comments welcome.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  2. #2
    BPN Member Sandy Witvoet's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    926
    Threads
    27
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the "creamy" graduated BG... perch is just "gnarly" enough without distracting from the bird. Not familiar with that species, but do enjoy how the reddish crest pulls you right into the image and the eye.
    www.mibirdingnetwork.com .... A place for bird and nature lovers in the Great Lakes area.

  3. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  4. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,868
    Threads
    512
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the perch, details, sharpness, exposure, composition and complimentary BG. Good view of the feet gripping the perch is nice. Maybe a little more of a look our way but I would be happy tp have this image in my files. Excellent image Arthur.

  5. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Wyre Forest Worcestershire
    Posts
    4,096
    Threads
    557
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Looks good all around to me. Echo what has been said. Can't think of any "critique " except that i like it.
    Interesested in the Rear focus mention as it certainly worked on this one !. Not sure what it means but I presume the Nikon D7100 hasn't got it.
    Cheers
    JR

  6. #5
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Crosswell View Post
    I like the perch, details, sharpness, exposure, composition and complimentary BG. Good view of the feet gripping the perch is nice. Maybe a little more of a look our way but I would be happy tp have this image in my files. Excellent image Arthur.
    You nailed the slightly off head angle.... This was the best of many frames.... Tanks!
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  7. #6
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Robinson View Post
    Looks good all around to me. Echo what has been said. Can't think of any "critique " except that i like it.
    Interesested in the Rear focus mention as it certainly worked on this one !. Not sure what it means but I presume the Nikon D7100 hasn't got it.
    Cheers
    JR
    I would guess that your camera can be set up for rear focus. Randy might know for sure....
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  8. #7
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,879
    Threads
    170
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Lovely light and exposure. I like your comp and that smooth bg with subtle colors.
    Agree that a slight head turn would have been better, but certainly works for me as is.
    Since this was a setup, I'd have gone with a better perch, if possible.

    I thought this was a ladder backed until I read the title and then opened a field guide to realize the differences. What a beautiful bird.

  9. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice Artie, Great detail and bg. I like the slightly open bill

  10. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  11. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    1,997
    Threads
    86
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I always enjoy seeing woodpeckers photographed on delicate perches like this, particularly when so well done. Soft light quality, pose, details, exposure...lots to enjoy here. I wonder if the cell phone sound/location had something to do with not achieving the perfect head angle? Maybe the sound was not easily pinpointed by the bird....

  12. #10
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sidharth Kodikal View Post
    Lovely light and exposure. I like your comp and that smooth bg with subtle colors.
    Agree that a slight head turn would have been better, but certainly works for me as is.
    Since this was a setup, I'd have gone with a better perch, if possible.

    I thought this was a ladder backed until I read the title and then opened a field guide to realize the differences. What a beautiful bird.
    Thanks Siddarath. It was not a set-up... The perch was there part of a bush. My friend played the call and the bird was kind enough to land in the nicest available spot.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  13. #11
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn Zierman View Post
    I always enjoy seeing woodpeckers photographed on delicate perches like this, particularly when so well done. Soft light quality, pose, details, exposure...lots to enjoy here. I wonder if the cell phone sound/location had something to do with not achieving the perfect head angle? Maybe the sound was not easily pinpointed by the bird....
    I'd guess not.... Thanks for the kind words.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  14. #12
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    6,275
    Threads
    574
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Pretty bird, nice and sharp. Agree on the head angle comment above. Light was nice and even.

  15. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  16. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    392
    Threads
    29
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I really like the light in this one. Contrast and detail are matched nicely for a pleasingly soft yet sharp image. Great topknot color. Nits the same as others have noted. As you said, this is the best of the bunch and I'd take it in a heartbeat. Now I'm off to read your latest posting on shooting modes.

  17. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  18. #14
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by John Rowell View Post
    I really like the light in this one. Contrast and detail are matched nicely for a pleasingly soft yet sharp image. Great topknot color. Nits the same as others have noted. As you said, this is the best of the bunch and I'd take it in a heartbeat. Now I'm off to read your latest posting on shooting modes.
    Thanks John. Enjoy the post. No need to ever use the word "nits" as it carries many negative implications: from Merriam Webster Online: minute and usually unjustified criticism. All the comments here are justified :).
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  19. #15
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great looking WP that I've never seen. Nice perch and BG. He looks like he's leaning backward, which I assume he was, otherwise you would have rotated him. It gives him a very alert look. The image looks just a tiny bit over-sharp on my screen.

  20. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  21. #16
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Robinson View Post
    Looks good all around to me. Echo what has been said. Can't think of any "critique " except that i like it.
    Interesested in the Rear focus mention as it certainly worked on this one !. Not sure what it means but I presume the Nikon D7100 hasn't got it.
    Cheers
    JR
    Johnny, I use the D7000, which I have set up for rear focus. I suspect the D7100 is similar. The AE-L/AF-L button on the back can be set through the menu functions to lock the focus, allowing you to recompose before hitting the shutter button. (In the Custom Setting/Controls menu there is a function for assigning the AE-L/AF-L button (f5 in my camera). Set that to "AF-ON".) I find the position of that rear button just a tiny bit too far to the left on the camera body to be ergonomically pleasing, but I've gotten used to it. Maybe the D7100 has it closer to the shutter button.

    Bill

  22. #17
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    708
    Threads
    35
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wonderful woodpecker. Great composition and beautiful light and colors. I like the "stand up" feathers on the head

  23. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  24. #18
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Iran-Tehran
    Posts
    1,070
    Threads
    65
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent light, IQ & BG. Very lovely pose & perch. TFS

  25. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  26. #19
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Geldern, Germany
    Posts
    3,557
    Threads
    216
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Perfect comp and bg, nice work.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics