Side light for artie???

[Arthur Morris]

Sidelit Brandt’s Cormorant displaying

This image was created at La Jolla, CA with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and the Canon EOS 5DS R. ISO 400: 1/400 sec. at f/9. AWB.

Center AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. This image is full frame. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

It is rare that I employ sidelight for birds but the gular sac of this cormorant shone brightly even though I was about 30 degrees off sun angle. He held the perfect head turn time after time. Thanks bird!

As for the image, don't be shy; all honest comments are welcome.

a

ps: if you enjoyed viewing this image you would like enjoy reading the entire "What do you do when nothing's happening? Get into the creative zone! Part One of many" blog post here.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

The bird appears natural and relaxed with brilliant detail and turquoise color on the gular sac. The blacks in the lower right hand corner show some detail - could this be enhanced some more or will it just lead the eye astray from the obvious blue focal point?

Hope you`re recovering well.

Cheers,

Gerhard

[Arthur Morris]

Am thanks Gerhard. Did you mean the blacks in the lower left? Either way, I love it as is. a

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Am thanks Gerhard. Did you mean the blacks in the lower left? Either way, I love it as is. a

Agree, its a stunning image! I am genuinely curious to see how far one can push the blacks with the 5dsr, especially the lower right hand corner?

[Arthur Morris]

Agree, its a stunning image! I am genuinely curious to see how far one can push the blacks with the 5dsr, especially the lower right hand corner?

With the full sun side light here, the gular patch in the sun, and the black on the neck (in the lower right corner) in total shade, there is probably a difference of at least 8-10 stops in the right exposure for each. So there is absolutely no reason to try and reveal any detail there. Why not? #1: The image is about the contrast. #2: any attempt would surely increase the amount of visible noise by leaps and bounds.

Do see the blog for many 5DS R images where I have opened up 5DS R BLACKs with great success. Part of that success includes using NeatImage in extreme cases as per a new post-processing guide by arash Hazeghi that I am working on. We plan to have it finished by 10 APR at the latest. See tomorrow's blog post for a good example of the above. a

[Randy Stout]

Artie:

Very nice indeed, the lighting highlights the sac and eye perfectly, and the shadows downplay the less essential elements. A winning combination for this subject.

Sidelight def. can be useful in certain situations, just as you have shown so well here.

In a perfect world, would prefer the end of the bill to be a bit sharper, but I didn't notice it until my third trip around the frame.

Cheers

Randy

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Randy, You know that I have always been a focus on the eye without stopping too much kind of guy. I am too old to change now :) a

[Randy Stout]

Thanks Randy, You know that I have always been a focus on the eye without stopping too much kind of guy. I am too old to change now :) a

Artie: Seems to me I do remember something about that from various IPTs! Might have been interesting to have a frame or two where you moved your focus point up the bill a sliver, to try and redistribute your DOF to keep the eye in focus, yet give a little more sharpness on the bill. Esp. since he gave you multiple opportunities.

And yes, I have posted a few loons over the years with the tip of the bill OOF, but saved by that great red eye!

Cheers

Randy

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Randy, #1: "Center AF point (by necessity)" so no moving the AF point :)
#2: d-o-f at 1200mm is measured in tiny fractions of an inch.
#3: I wanted AF active at the moment of exposure as the bird moves its head slightly when at the peak of the display rather than holding stock still.

For me this one is saved by the azure blue gular sac :) a

[Colin Driscoll]

Artie, at first glance this is a stunner as well as second, third....

[Daniel Cadieux]

Pretty darn cool pose here, and I love the far wing framing behind the sac and bill. I am liking the dark blue hue in bottom right corner shining very faintly on the neck - for that reason I am wondering if pulling those blues up a bit more would be worth it? Pretty impressive image all around!

[Ihtisham Kabir]

Hi Artie, it is great technically but the image basically does not work for me because I am not as familiar with bird anatomy as you guys are. So I am unable to make total sense of the photo - I mean, I cannot picture how this posture arises. Cormorants around here have yellow gular sacs and I have not paid much attention to them except as diagnostic for great cormorants. Sorry to hear you are unwell - best wishes. Ihtisham

[Steve Kaluski]

Glad you posted this one Artie and hope that there are more to come using natural light as a 'spot light'. I like the depth created with the rich darks & shadows in this capture, the eye is just draw to the spot!

TFS
Steve

[David Salem]

Wow!! I didn't see this on the big screen but I must say, this is beautiful Artie!! As you can probably figure, I am not that big of of fan of off angel lighting, but this one definitely works well. The blue gular is very nice but that eye looks like some kind of polished jewel!! I also really like the raised wing in the BG with the nice feather pattern.
That one is worthy of a print in the museum