Australian Magpie

[Greg Oakley]

One from the weekend. Nice to have the Crape Myrtle coming into autumnal colour...
Setup near water. Thanks for looking, Greg.

D800, 300 2.8, 1.7TC, f7.1, 1/250, ISO400, flash

[John Robinson]

Another gem Greg. Perfectly framed by the Myrtle.
JohnR

[Richard Flack]

Wow Greg! Stunning image, beautifully framed. Awesome!

[Ashley Cohen]

Fantastic capture, wonderful exposure, colours and detail

[Bill Dix]

Stunning in all regards. Great pose, perch; exquisite detail. Does the species always have a bluish cast to the whites?

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Greg, you amaze me how you get your subjects to perch right in the middle of the openings of your setups. Terrific IQ, and just love the angled pose. The overall exposure is spot on, and great detail on the bird too. Did I mention how sharp it is.

[Gerald Kelberg]

This one really stopped me in my tracks - really stunning. The pin sharp Magpie against that background and the leaves of the Myrtle - it is beautiful! Not to mention the perfect pose and head angle!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Amazing IQ, and the foliage in this setup is particularly appealing. Perfect pose. I could go for more room top and right, but certainly good as is too.

[keith mitchell]

Greg the plumage is superb pin sharp but with a soft feel to it if you know what I mean, foliage and bg is all spot ,does not come much better IMHO.

Keith.

[Binu John]

Wonderful shot! Love the pose, details and the perch!

[Marina Scarr]

Yes maybe a tad more room top and right if you have it but, it's just a kick butt image any way you look at it. The IQ and set up are just out of this world.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Man you really nailed this, the IQ is amazing. The bird is beautifully perched in that stunning set up.

[Terry Johnson]

Greg, I have never seen an image quite as good as this one. Would you mind posting the original image with the specifics about your set-up. Are you using multiple flashes, I see very few, if any, shadows, You shot at F2.8, however, everything seems to be in focus. I am very curious how you captured this image.

Thanks...Terry Johnson

[Greg Oakley]

Terry, I won't post the original as I have actually done very little to this. Just the normal brightening up, sharpening, colour adjustments etc
I don't use multiple flashes, just a flash (on a C bracket) at the camera. The setup just involves selecting nice perches and placing them strategically near a water/food source and being incredibly patient and committed!
It may look simple but it's actually quite difficult. For example for this image I waited at least 3 hours and took over 100 frames to get this one image of the bird in the right spot and pose etc. And that was a good day!!
It's actually shot at f7.1, not 2.8 as you mentioned,

Cheers,
Greg

[arash_hazeghi]

another excellent setup with sweet pose and techs. TFS excellent work

[Ian Wilson]

Hi Greg, I got to your post a bit late - its all been said. You are a very patient man!
Cheers, Ian

[David Salem]

I love your set up shots Greg but the Magpie ones are just awesome. Something about their look and their feathers that make them very photogenic.
I think the way you capture them may have something to do with it also;) Calender material all the way!!

[Lorant Voros]

Stunning! Nothing else to add. Hats off.

[Frank Schauf]

Fantastic. Wonderful pose, colors and background.

[Sridatta Chegu]

Beautiful setup with excellent perch and perfect frame. Great shot!