Resting Sandhill Crane

[Steve Kaluski]

One of the resident Sandhill Cranes, hope they will still be there next month, but more importantly the Snowies on the West Coast. Daniel, please send some over for mid Fed/March.

Steve

Subject: Sandhill Crane, side profile (Grus canadensis)
Location: Canada
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 plus 1.4x HH
Exposure: 1/800s at f/9 ISO800

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Steve,

Beautiful bird with beautiful detail. The feathers look wonderfully "tactile" - I want to reach in and stroke them, feel that soft texture with my fingers!

How much of the subtle change from the shade to light is down to the actual light conditions vs. careful post-production?

Best wishes,

Gerald

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Gerald thanks for the kind words.

In terms of PP very little was done, but all was applied to the subject, the BKG is all as shot. In this one it was down to time of day and shooting single frame. Checking that initial first frame histogram is always key IMHO so you can make that final adjustment. Plus this is almost FF and IQ is retained.

cheers
Steve

[Luis Patacao]

Hi Steve, i love profile pictures, so to me this is beautifull and wouldn't change nothing. The detail and light are on the spot.

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[Robert Kimbrell]

All looks great , Sharpens, background exposure, Good Job. I agree with Steve. It makes me want to run my fingers through those feathers.

[gail bisson]

This is a beautiful image Steve.
Love the IQ and the comp.
BG is "killer".
Gail

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very beautiful pose!
Love the S shape on the neck and nice feather details. Love the light and nice clean BG.

[David Salem]

Perfect portrait Steve. Love the comp you chose and the details, BG and colors look great. Well done

[keith mitchell]

Steve can't be far off perfection.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the details, IQ, curves and complimentary BG. Excellent image Steve.

[Tiago Caravana]

Everything has already been said, it's a wonderful pic! I love the crane's expression, it's almost like he's thinking in his life :)

[William Dickson]

Very nice Steve. All been said above. Well done and thanks for sharing

[Eric Dienesch]

A really sharp portrait within good light and posing.

Great Work, i think.

Eric

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks very much appreciate the kind words, ironic it was one that was in the 'pending' pile. How wrong was I, LOL.

Apologies in the late reply, have succumb to this cold that is doing the rounds.

Cheers
Steve

[Gabriela Plesea]

I echo Keith in terms of perfection and love your choice of subject, Steve - the red and orange draw attention to the eye and surroundings, and there's so much detail there: I too want to reach out and touch:)

One thing I have learnt from you is the importance of creating an image that has the power to stir, and reading the above comments from other members I realise how right you were and how one can move one's imagination and provoke thought with a photograph (eg. Tiago finds the subject "reflective", Robert and Gerald as well as myself want to "touch" the bird)

The BG complements the subject so well in terms of colour and softness. A perfectly timed frame, so pleasing to see your subtle sharpening applies only to those places where needs be - and it is those creamy soft feathers near the right side of the frame that I really want to touch...

Wonderful work as always. I admit I do take a long time to view and analyse your images, still so much to learn:)

Warmest regards,