Red-crowned Crane in Flight in Snow

[Arthur Morris]

This Red-crowned Crane flight image was created at 12:43pm during the Day 4 blizzard on the Japan in Winter IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 1/3 stops off the white sky: 1/640 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. Color temperature: Custom Pre-set that turned out to be a bit warm.

The sensor below the Central sensor/AI Servo/Surround Rear Focus AF just caught the top of the bird’s head and was active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

To see the washed out, white on white original image and see how I brought it to life in post, see "Keep It" here. You will learn a lot about exposure along the way.

As for the image, all comments welcome.

[Iain Barker]

Hi Artie
This is a fantastic image. I think the snow really adds to the image as do the trees and leaves in the background. I wonder if more show come off the right of the picture as when I first viewed it my browser was cropping that side and think I preferred it.
Some really valuable information on your blog there I think I may have binned the original without realizing it was a correctly exposed image. Time for me to go back and revisit some old images I think.

TFS
Iain

[douglas hayes]

Spectacular image. I enjoy the angle of the landing, the mottled rust BG, dangled feet, and BG tree branches. I would print this on cotton museum paper. I want to visit these ancient 鳥類 someday.

[Marina Scarr]

I am really loving the feel of this one, Artie. Prefer this one far more than the one coming at you. This one is unique, and the BG really sets this one apart and works so well with your subject. Love the snow and the red leaves. The only thing I wish for is a tad more space on the bottom.

[Arthur Morris]

I am really loving the feel of this one, Artie. Prefer this one far more than the one coming at you. This one is unique, and the BG really sets this one apart and works so well with your subject. Love the snow and the red leaves. The only thing I wish for is a tad more space on the bottom.

Thanks. I agree on a bit more room on the bottom--that would be fairly easy to do, but I might enter this in the BBC WPY competition if I switch it with another...

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm really loving the BG here as well as the falling snow. My favorite of yours from your trip to Japan.

[Norm Dulak]

I'd like to see more feather definition.

[Sandy Witvoet]

I love how your images are unique, artistic, exposed "for the moment" and often combine several elements to make the "whole". No exception here.... Love it.