Here is another shot from last weekends late evening efforts lying on my belly at the beach in Breezy Point which is in Queens, New York. While trying to get shots of 2 feeding Oystercatchers, a flock of Sanderlings kept running right past me. Often far too close to focus on. Guess I was really just another piece of driftwood on the beach to them. Couldn't resist getting a few shots of these birds. They have not started getting any of their beautiful breeding colors, but their winter plumage has a certain subtle beauty that I find quite appealing.
Canon 7d2 and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii
Evaluative Metering, F8, ISO 640, SS 1/1250
Added canvas to the right as the bird was running really fast and I did not nail it perfectly in the frame. Bird is to me a bit too large in the frame to be ideal but to my eye still works. Shutter speed was a bit too slow to freeze the front foot as well as an indication of how fast it was moving. Converted RAW in DPP 4. Slight contrast, highlight and shadow adjustment. Used NIK tonal contrast/white neutralizer and sharpened with NIK output sharpener.
Last edited by Isaac Grant; 04-23-2016 at 01:45 PM.
You had lovely light and this little shorebird shines against that dark BG. You have very nice feather details and a nice catch light. My only wish would be for the foot to be in a different position.
Thanks for the comments Marina. Could you please elaborate as to what would have been a more ideal/desireable foot position? Fully extended? All the way back? Info would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Isaac, lovely light and detail captured on the bird. As much as the blurred foot creates interest I would prefer it in focus, but I realise how quick these little guys move. (The position of the foot itself doesnt bother me, but you will have to wait for them to slow down :))
What I was really trying was to get these when there was hardly any light left. Would have had to bump the ISO to get more shutter speed. Was really going for the white bird against a dark background. Just so hard with how fast these guys are. But that is the challenge. Will go back tonight and try again.
Sanderling at sunset
Reply With Quote
