Sunlight Crowned Crane

[Stu Bowie]

I visited my local pond a little while back, and the sun was just showing up at this location.There were two Crowned Cranes relaxing in the shade, and I noticed that the sun was cast on one of their crests, so I chanced my luck at a few shots to see the results. I also under exposed in camera to try and get more of a moody shot.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/100
F/7.1
ISO 800

Exp comp -0.33
Hand held

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very ethereal Mr Bowie!! I like it very much indeed, my only suggestion would be to flip it laterally and make it less central WDYT??

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow this is awesome! I know there are two of them but it looks like one mega bird all puffed up. I'm of the opposite camp and make more central (same amount of space at left and right edges of the frame). That is quite a fantastic pose - glad you chanced your luck!

[John Whaley]

Beautiful light and texture in this one. It is an unusual shot in my admittedly limited experience but it works.

[Bob Smith]

It's a finely artistic eye that can preconceive this image then create it Stu---beautifully done.
I really like the way your exposure has the black feathers on the birds fade from brightness to obscurity as view shifts L. to R. and the crown hilites are spot on in exposure and focus. I'd be very reluctant to change the crop to the point of losing any of the feather tips.

[Isaac Grant]

I agree with Dan. I would center it and would like to see a bit more room on the left. Beautiful pose and light to die for. Such a treat to view. Its always special when you can walk away from a shoot with a shot like this.

[Joe Subolefsky]

WoW that is a fantastic shot great job on the exposure and not missing in that killer light. I bet it would even show strong with a tighter square crop just behind the head feathers.

[Brian Desjardins]

What an amazing shot , the feather detail ,lighting , Just gorgeous.

[Lorant Voros]

Unusual and very creative. Feels like theater:). Love it.

[Richard Flack]

Super image Stu and a unique perspective. Love the light. Well done! I may consider leaving less space at the top. TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback everyone. Always appreciated.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Love the wonderful colors,lights and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

Great looking artistic image Stu. It's all about the lighting and that solid black background. The subject aint half bad either :) Very nice rendition