Stepping forward

[gail bisson]

Canon 1DX
F 600 and 1.4X
ISO 800
SS 1/400 F 7.1
I will be interested to see what you think about this image. I wasn't overly fond of it initially, but it has grown on me. I wish the right eye wasn't in shadow and that is why I initially dismissed it as a keeper. What do you think?
This is the eagle on Sanibel that I photographed in April at sunrise. He was very interested in me (or probably his reflection in the lens) and walked to within 7 feet of me. This is the last image I got before he got to within my minimum focusing distance. This is full frame vertical crop from a horizontal orientation with 3 % canvas added up top.
PP: Crop, levels, cloned out 1 black bit in sand, DE at 2% to eagle and USM to JPEG.
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

[keith mitchell]

Gail you certainly give yourself very hard critique, will read with interest comments from others but if you had not pointed out the little shadow on the right eye I don't think I would have noticed it, could you not brighten it a little?. After saying this I do think your image looks great especially with the action of the raised foot with the sand falling from it ,and the nice detail and exposure on the bird itself. Must have been a thrill with this magnificent bird so close.

Regards Keith.

[robinlee]

Ok this image looks like chicken in disguise

It is nice image Gail, well done :)

[John Robinson]

Looks good to me Gail
The light coming from the right has made the left eye a bit darker but so it woud. In my opinion it gives modeling to the shot. I would leave it as it is.
Great stance and expression.
John

[dennis greenwood]

What I great opportunity, its certainly different and I do like it,it took me a while to like it as I kept coming back to look at it before commenting ,while its a striking bird their is a certain comical factor about and I think that's why I like it and makes it different ,hope that makes sense

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Gail,

This is definitely a keeper and although it may be not quite perfect in your eyes, I am jolly glad you kept it and shared it with us - there are certain elements in it that make it very attractive! The right eye is not an issue to me, as soon as I opened this thumbnail I was instantly drawn to the movement way below, and by that I mean those giant talons that make sand fly off the ground! Great exposure on the whites and the BG is stunning, I certainly would not hesitate to share this with fellow BPN members if it was mine! Great work Gail!!!

Kind regards,

[Carl Walker]

Another great image Gail. You PP work is great as usual and the action shown adds to their typical ungainly character on the ground. Great light and BG too

[Mike Poole]

100% keeper.

For me, it's all too easy to get caught up in perceived technical flaws, when sometimes they are the simple result of natural light. The only realistic way to have lost the slight shadow would have been a bit of fill in flash, and for me at least, that would have completely ruined the shot.

The pose combined with the POV in this one work perfectly to produce a fantastic shot

[Joseph Przybyla]

What a look... you were trespassing on his beach Gail. Great image, great memory, a keeper for sure.

[Enrique Patino]

I think you did a very good job on the "shaded area." I think the soft light helped you as it does not look overdone at all. All else looks great. Opinions on its look and the stance is a matter of taste. It is certainly worth keeping for the collection.

[Joe Galkowski]

I looked at this one four or five times before I decided to comment. The sand and talon are great. I have no problem with the light on the bird. The slightly darker side of the face is fine for me. I like it actually. The thing I was debating is the tail being held high so that it doesn't show from the frontal view. Seeing some of the wing tips too would give this a slightly different look. He is coming directly at you. This perfectly straight frontal view seems awkward to me. Perhaps I am just not used to it. I can't help but visualize a grumpy old guy coming to complain that you stole his cabana chair. The image is so perfectly done technically and the foot is awesome but I will have to look at it a few more times to decide that in my opinion, it is wonderfully unique or just different. Sorry not much help.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

This is an awesome shot, Gail - you're being too hard on yourself. I love the low shooting angle, eye contact, light, IQ and especially the raised foot with the falling sand.
I'd be very happy if I had this in my files!

[David Salem]

I would be happy with this one Gail. Nice head on look at this brute. The sand on the foot and that killer stare make this a keeper for sure. A Very captivating frame. Well done

[christopher galeski]

very nice Gail,great detail,love the sand being kicked up,good eye contact,keeper for sure.

[Binu John]

Wonderful shot, Gail! Love the composition, pose, details, POV and light!!

[Frank Schauf]

Perfect comp and light, nice work.