Yesterday at Circle B Bar Reserve I came across this heron sitting on a log preening and enjoying the morning. Moving so the light was in my favor put branches and hanging Spanish Moss between me and the bird. I found a small opening that was clear to capture a portrait. 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 F/5.6 Matrix Metering -2/3 EV ISO 720 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition and presentation
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Hi Joe, like the 'moody' setting here, it provides prominence to the subject I feel. I also think the slight HA tilt towards you works for me.
Dropping the Highlights and Contrast opens up things I think, likewise dropping the Blue, overall things become cleaner, especially the whites on the shoulder, just my take. Again, personally I still think you have room for manoeuvre on the ISO, keep that SS higher .
Good composition, and the black background really makes the heron stand out nicely. Details are excellent. I think you can go a few points more on the saturation, but otherwise a very pleasing portrait.
Striking portrait against the black background. Great detail and perfect head turn (IMHO). Given how close you were, a bit more DOF would have brought the top of the head in focus, but it's nice and sharp where it matters.
Great Blue Heron
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