This image is pretty much as it came from the camera except for sharpening, so I guess you would call it an in-camera effect of chiaroscuro. I look for lighting situations like this whenever I'm out shooting. f/8@1/1600th sec ISO 400
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson
Hazel, this was indeed shot at mid-afternoon, that is the sun in the bird's eye. He was not in shade, but the reflection from a tree that is in the shade is what made the background dark.
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson
What's there not to like? Great chiaroscuro. Cute position of the head. Beautiful feather detail. The soft ripples in the water and how they catch the colors are lovely. Very nice.
Well Kerry having photographed 666 ABA species I sure wish I had taken this image...beautiful, whether for the theme or not...did I say a thing of beauty