In Florida there is a resident population of Sand Hill Cranes, I have captured many images of them. This is one that I like the best. I went with a vertical portrait because the legs were hidden by the out of focus grass and the portrait provided just a smidgeon of out of focus grass at the bottom of the frame. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.
Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/1600 F/5.6 Matrix Metering 0 EV ISO 280 AWB
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
You have captured a very nice animated moment and the lighting is nice with no harsh shadows. The DOF enables the crane to pop out of the creamy background. The head and eye, however, do not appear to me to be in focus which is a shame. I also think a composition with the bird to the right of center would make the image stronger.
Karen and Karl, thank you for viewing and commenting. Very much appreciated...
Karen, thank you for providing another set of eyes. I think there was motion blur on the head. I corrected that and did additional sharpening to the head and neck. Thanks again for helping.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
An interesting capture, and nicely improved sharpening -- I like the soft framing of the OOF grass, but I'm wondering if it needs more room at the bottom for the virtual legs.
There is some noticeable cyan creeping into the neck -- I find it pleasing artistically but wonder if it should be corrected for a nature shot.
I think there was motion blur on the head. I corrected that and did additional sharpening to the head and neck.
Joe, if it's soft/has motion blur no matter what software you use, it will never look right sadly. Apart from the Cyan, I might also look at the darks/shadow area around/on the beak.
Hi Joseph, Very nice portrait of a beautiful bird. I find the framing a bit tight. Although the legs were hidden, I'd give it some more room at the bottom and left for the "virtual" legs. Loi
Sand Hill Crane
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