White-rumped Sandpiper Autumn Reflections.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Right at sunrise the sun was making the trees across the creek glowing in all their autumn colour glories! This, in turn, made for the waters beneath them aglow with their yellows and oranges. As an added bonus a White-rumped Sandpiper took a pause right at the best spot to surround itself in those colours (actually I was prepared for it and had placed myself in advance accordingly in hopes things would go as planned, it was just a bonus that it stopped right there rather than walk on through...)

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative, metering, 1/100s., f/5.6, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, FF, toned down the BG colours, tweaked the WB on the subject as it had a very blue cast (but I'm still not 100% convinced on the result - I think the heavy yellows surrounding the subject are skewing my judgement!), the very brightest stripe toned down via low opacity clone stamp.

[Lorant Voros]

One of my favorite shorebirds. Love the colors and the feel of the image. The autumn colors and with the sunrise gave you the magic moment. Well done.

[Karl Egressy]

Great image, beautiful colors and the bird looks really nice, Daniel.

[Steve Kaluski]

I was prepared for it and had placed myself in advance accordingly in hopes things would go as planned, it was just a bonus that it stopped right there rather than walk on through...)

Dan, out in the field, planning/anticipation as you know only too well is what its all about, as you often have no control, but that's the thrill and buzz you get when a plan comes together, but also when the hard work pays off it makes the image that much more special!

The colours are awesome, likewise the presentation, but personally I think a more 'letterbox/pano' format could also work, loosing the very lighter areas at the top. The ripples make for an interesting and graphic backdrop.

tweaked the WB on the subject as it had a very blue cast (but I'm still not 100% convinced on the result - I think the heavy yellows surrounding the subject are skewing my judgement!)

Without seeing the 'original' before the tweak it's hard to say, the golden yellows are dominant, but for me that illustrates the Autumn season and where colours are rich and vibrant, just my take.

TFS
Steve

[Bill Dix]

Spectacular colors! Nice pose. The color balance on the bird looks good to my eye. I like the comp and placement of the bird as presented. A lovely frame.

[John Robinson]

Looks good to e Dan. Sublime BG and colours. I think maybe a sliver off the top but no big deal.
John

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Perfect HA, colors and IQ. Agree about cropping from the top a bit.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image, Daniel. Good work planning and positioning, fantastic when it all comes together. Thank you for sharing.

[Ross Taylor]

Hi Daniel,

A very lovely shot indeed! I love that you documented how the shot came to be :) The WB on the bird is tricky here, because there is orange reflected light to contend with also. WB looks good to me.

If anything, perhaps bringing out the eye reflection a little more would perk things up on the bird?

Thanks Daniel,
Ross

[Jim Crosswell]

Congratulations on achieving your vision Daniel! I like the water color, IQ and HA. I would take a little off the top as well.

[David Salem]

"Print"

[Jonathan Ashton]

Yes lovely shot Dan, gorgeous colours and reflection. I see what you mean regarding the colour of the bird but I think the general ambience makes for a beautiful image.

[Gerald Gardebled]

Nice color and light.