Eagle at sunset

[Steen Torner]

I took this image of a White tailed eagle catching a fish just before sunset in Lauvsness at the West coast of Norway.

It was a beautiful sunny evening in July and just an hour before midnight.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III with EF 100-400mm f/4.5 - 5.6L IS II USM (188mm).

The exposure was set manually to 1/2000 sec at f/9.0 and ISO 500.

I have no experience with sunset photography and would appreciate your critique.

Regards Steen

[Jonathan Ashton]

A very eye catching shot. The only negative comment I would make is that it is less than ideal to have the horizon running through the wing, so a shot taken from a lower or higher angle may have improved presentation. Having said that I like the image very much indeed, I like the exposure and colours.

[Randy Stout]

Steen:
I think you did very well here. The close, larger dark silhouette , balances against the brilliant setting sun. Rich colors, fish a bonus, distant shoreline adds depth.

You could quibble about having the eagle all against the sky, rather than split by the horizon. I like the slight backlighting of the talons.

Looking at the shore/water interface, may need the slightest counter clockwise rotation, but close.

Do be careful looking towards/into the sun when doing this type of shot.

Cheers

Randy

PS: Jon and i were typing at the same time, so sorry to repeat the eagle placement comment

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steen, a well balanced comp with the Eagle and sun in opposite corners of the frame, and I do like the overall colours. I like the silhouette of the eagle, especially with the primaries against the colourful sky BG. The fish catch rounds the image off nicely. Well captured.

[Daniel Cadieux]

If the horizon needs to run behind the subject then this is the best spot IMO. Very appealing concept, well executed. I only wish the eagle was not angling away from us, but darn you captured an appealing scene here!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I am fine with the bird placement on the horizon line.
But I think the focus was past the bird as it looks a little OOF to me.
And the angle as Daniel mentioned is not ideal.

Great idea, well executed anyway.
TFS!

[Steen Torner]

Thanks to all of you taking time to give feedback on my image. Much appreciated.

Just for the record, my "Show Focus Point" Lightroom Plug-in show that the AF-point has hit the head of the eagle ... ; - )

Regards Steen