This image of the Pied Kingfisher in early morning light was taken at Mankwe Dam in the Pilanesberg, South Africa, during April this year. I loved the contrast of the white and black against the darkish green background, and the green leaves just added to the colour in the image.
In an ideal world I would have liked a more side on view of the bird, but as always you have to do with what nature gives you.
Camera Model Canon EOS 70D
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/800
Av(Aperture Value) 6.3
ISO Speed 800
Lens EF400mm f/5.6L USM
The image has been cropped a bit all round. Basic adjustments were done in LR5. The exposure was lifted slightly, and the highlights and whites were reduced to cater for the whites on the bird that were borderline hot.
I added a bit of contrast, as well as sharpening and noise reduction.
Thanks for looking, and all C&C's are welcome.
Regards
Thinus
Hi Thinus, I like the setting here and well done for choosing one of the other perches that we dont normally go for when we are there. As I did on Mark's image below, Im seeing a cast in this. Here is my quick version and also added a touch more sharpening.
A beautiful Kingfisher, Nicely sized in the frame. I like the background and perch. Great light in the eye, I think the blacks look better with Stuarts adjustment.
That is a pretty neat perch for a kingfisher! Sweet BG, and the light looks good...but even with that good light quality the kingfisher is quite contrasty with some near-burnt whites and near-blocked blacks. I am certain you can tame both of these in post, and it would be well worth it IMO as this is a very nice image. Just as a matter of artistic aesthetics I would eliminate the few bits of leaves peeking in from the bottom edge of the frame. Well balanced comp, you cropped it just right.
First light PK
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