Black Vulture

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image last week at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. 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)
1/1250 /5.6 Matrix Metering +1 EV ISO 560, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition and presentation

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joe, stands out nicely against the blue sky backdrop, great to have the single perch and no distracting obstacles, wouldn't like to have gone any stepper on the shooting angle though.

I might selectively adjust some of the really dark blacks, as they look a bit choked with no detail, plus if you used a layer/mask just watch on the underneath feathers, the blue is fringing in parts.

TFS
Steve

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Steve, neither would I want a more steep angle. I moved back to lessen the angle and had the monopod at maximum height. I thought the bird was worth a click, I loved the feathers around the head. They made me think of the mane a male lion has. I will revisit the image and selectively try to open the darkest areas. Thank you for viewing and commenting.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the pose, HA, sharpness and perch has lots of character too. Nice image Joe.

[William Dickson]

I like this Joe. The perch looks real good and I like the colour on the bird. You captured him with a good pose.

Will

[Daniel Cadieux]

You are right about the "mane"...really neat. I like the pose and perch. Perfect head angle. Harsh light though that can be somewhat negated by reducing the contrast.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing, commenting, and suggesting improvements. Very much appreciated....

Steve and Daniel, here is an edit and repost. I selectively opened the dark shadows and applied a revers S curve to lessen the harsh mid-morning Florida light. Thanks for your suggestions.