"The Look-back"

[David Salem]

My buddy Glen and I sat on this guy for a while getting some nice perched shots. We are always trying to anticipating the take off shot and l got fortunate when I caught this Western Meadowlark taking off of this perch a few months ago. I like the fact that he gave me a nice "Look-back" as he left. I hope you like it.

1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/4000---ISO640---HH@8:15am---35% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. Appreciate it.

David

[Randy Stout]

David:

The look back is excellent, as they often seem to be concentrating on where they are going. Sharp, great down stroke.

Perhaps slightly hot on the yellows on the cheek.

The feet are neat.

Perhaps a sliver more detail i the bg to give a bit more sense of depth, but overall, works great.

Cheers

Randy

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The fact it's looking back makes for an appealing image.
Like the smooth BG and the details, as well as the downstroke.
Well captured David.
Thanks for sharing.

[keith mitchell]

David I would fine it very hard to find a fault with this, bird is showing fine detail and pin sharp and all on a bird in flight,BG is superb. Excellent.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image, David. Superb take of with nice HA and down stroke wings.
Beautiful colour, great details and nice composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

Thanks for the comments guys

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, take off shots always give us different poses as they take to the air, and when you nail one with the downstroke of the wings, its a clear winner from the word go. Good look back pose, great view of the feet, and just love that smooth BG. Well captured.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Man, that was a real bonus having this guy look back like that. Terrific wing position, and the perch adds an anchor point. Nicely done.

[William Dickson]

Beautiful image as usual David. Great look back pose and fabulous details. Inspires me to do better. Thanks for sharing

Will

[dankearl]

Great flight pose. I would get rid of the perch in this case, it doesn't add much for me....

[David Salem]

Thanks again everyone.

Dan, I did a version without the perch but it looked like it needed a starting point since it is an obvious take off shot.
I will post it later. Let me know what you think.
Thanks as always for your input

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, great work and an awesome flight shot, just works oh so well with such a neutral backdrop to. Be interested to see the image without the perch as and when. I guess the light created strong blacks, however did you increase the value at all when you found the white & black point, if you do that within your workflow? just a thought.

TFS
Steve

[Karl Egressy]

Striking take off shot, David. The look back pose makes it very special.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Your image makes me want to go to my spot for Meadowlarks. Thank you for sharing, David.

[David Salem]

Here is the version without the perch. What do you like best?
Thanks in advance

[David Salem]

Steve,

Yes I probably increased the blacks a bit on this image but I use the clarity slider and the levels slider in PS. I only use a few points. I also think that this individual is a solid adult male giving him nice contrasting colors.
I shoot allot of larks and most don't look this nice. Thanks for your input and help.

[dankearl]

Looks better without perch for me.....

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, I'm 50/50, I can understand your rational for retaining the perch, likewise I quite like it without.

Clarity I tend to use with a light hand, depending on the complexity I might have masked some of the real dark/shadow ares to retain the finer detail for 'form/detail', no deal breaker just we all work differently, appreciate the feedback.

[John Hackney]

Excellent capture on a very wary bird. I think the perch shot is the better image.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Ohhh... such a low percentage shot, and you nailed it. These take offs happen so quickly that without a quick trigger finger all you get are the legs. I know from experience :)
Love the repost Dave.
Excellent work. Hope you're doing well, and that you'll post some more.

[David Salem]

Thanks again everyone for the comments and for your comp suggestions. I appreciate it.

[gail bisson]

I am very late to the party but this is great! I think i prefer the version without the perch,
Gail