Red Grouse

[Mike Poole]

I made the usual mistake of trusting the weather forecast the other day - I should have had bright light through soft white cloud in the day followed by brighter evening sunshine, so I went out armed with a few ideas on Grouse shots.

I got overcast conditions and rain...

Still, having made the trip I hung around for a while, and this one bird in particular tolerated a close approach, which given we're slap bang in the middle of shooting season means I'm not sure how long he'll be around for sadly.

He gave me a couple of poses, and I liked the look back pose best. This is about 85% of the original frame, taken walking around him as opposed to having to use my car as a hide - this approach has not worked for me before but I thought I'd give it another try.

Canon 1dx
500mm f4 is
ISO 2500
1/1250th f 5.6

DPP4 and PSCC

Mike

[David Salem]

This is gorgeous Mike!! One of the better Red grouse frames I have seen in a while. Love the look-back pose with that perfect HA. Great look at the foot and comb, and I love the beautiful feather colors of this species.
Terrific BG and the moss on the rocks finishes it off well.
I find the head and neck just a bit soft so I selectively sharpened them. Also a little levels adjustment and I cropped a bit off of the left to balance it.
Hope you don't mind. Not much of a change but just a few small tweaks to a Great capture!!

[Mike Poole]

Thanks David, I really appreciate that.

Quite interesting that I backed off 2 things a little compared to normal - the sharpening and the blacks level, and it's very interesting to see you alter both of these in your RP.

Thanks for taking the time, I've learned a bit from you doing this

Mike

[Bill Dix]

Beautiful shot, Mike. Great colors, good head turn, and the rocks make a very attractive perch. David's slight comp adjustment helps.

[William Dickson]

Very smart Mike. Perch, BG and Grouse outstanding. Lovely details and I really like the white feathers

Well done

Will

[Lorant Voros]

Fantastic image of this species. Love the shooting angle and the rocks as foreground. Very nice, Mike.

[keith mitchell]

Well done Mike as soon as I get pout of the car there away.Cracking clean image showing lots of detail and the fact that you have a nice clean BG makes the bird really stand out.Like this a lot.


Keith.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful! I love the pose, BG, perch. David's repost works well. Another option would be to add back at right if you have it. BTW, I love cloudy and drizzly conditions for outdoor photography....

[gail bisson]

Wow, this is really nice Mike. I am surprised you don't have more comments!
Before I looked at all the comments I felt the head was a bit soft and would sharpen the head a bit more. I would like something between your post and david's post.
The soft light is to die for and the clear view of the feet on those lovely rocks adds so much to the image.
Do you have about 3 % more room on the RHS?
A beauty!
Gail

[Mike Poole]

Wow, this is really nice Mike. I am surprised you don't have more comments!
Before I looked at all the comments I felt the head was a bit soft and would sharpen the head a bit more. I would like something between your post and david's post.
The soft light is to die for and the clear view of the feet on those lovely rocks adds so much to the image.
Do you have about 3 % more room on the RHS?
A beauty!
Gail

Thanks for the comments Gail, always appreciated.

Unfortunately it's full frame on the right. He was staring over to the left, so I was set up with my focus point accordingly, then he quickly looked behind him and I didn't have time to switch points, shame really as the balance would be better with more negative space behind.

Mike