Black Guillemot with Sea Scorpion

[Bill Dix]

I thought this would make a good segue between October's black birds and the new November theme. From Flatey Island, Iceland, last July.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 800, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Beautiful, interesting bird I have never seen before. The Sea Scorpion adds much to the image. The image appears a tad dark on my display, I tried raising the exposure 0.33. That seem to show off the eye and prey better with only a slight area blocked in the eye and shadow under the prey. Thank you for sharing, Bill.

[Mike Poole]

I like this one Bill, nice subject, interesting behaviour and nicely detailed to my eyes. I'd like a little extra space below, but not a massive issue.

Mike

[Brian Desjardins]

Hi Bill, Beautiful shot !, great details and sharpness, nice comp, great timing on the capture, TFS !



Brian

[keith mitchell]

Bill this is good with the Scorpions eyes fixing on you,you have done very well with the blacks and whites,it all works well for me with that dark bg.

[gail bisson]

I love this! The scorpion's eyes are so "evil" looking. They look like they are glowing.
Exposure is perfect for the whites and blacks look great.
I would like a touch more room on the bottom if you have it.
Tack sharp as well.
Gail

[Bill Nuttall]

that's very good Bill

the eyes on the scorpion add the "extra"

A "winner" if you ask me

[Daniel Cadieux]

How cool is that! Perfect head turn for the guillemot to show off its prize. The red foot showing is a big plus too. Yes to more room below if you have it. Very nicely done overall!

[Isaac Grant]

Sweet shot Bill. Beautiful bird, pose, sharpness and background. Details in the blacks look great as well as the whites. I agree about a little more room below would be nice. Also agree with Joseph that the bird seems a little on the dark side. I would try to raise that a bit but not sure it would work or if it would make the bird look a little artificial.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Good one Bill. How lucky we were to have these BLGU fly in as close as they did. Light was great bringing out the shadow detail. A great bonus with fish in beak.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that this is just about full frame, with no room at the bottom. I agree a bit more would have helped.

[Doug Brown]

Beautiful bird with a cool prey item! A bit more room would be nice, but sometimes you don't have that luxury. I'd also push the exposure a bit to the right.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Doug. For you and those others that felt it was a bit dark, here's a repost. I had wanted to maintain the rich blacks so purposely kept it dark, but maybe too much. Here I've increased the exposure by 0.50 on everything except the white wing patches. Maybe too far to the right? Also, I went back and checked. The TIFF is 6000 x 4000, which is full frame on my gear; unfortunately not even a sliver more to add on the bottom.

[David Salem]

This one looks awesome Bill. I like the pose and I especially like the cool looking scorpion fish in the mouth. I don't mind the comp but I too find the image a little darkish on my monitor.
The repost has the exposure increased by a third, except the whites, and I also selectively lightened the face of the fish a bit so it pops a bit more. I also cleaned up the eye a bit too. See what you think. I don't think it looks unnatural?
Well done

[David Salem]

Oh cr#@p Bill I was posting this as you were posting your re-post. Looks like we were on the same page

[Bill Dix]

Thanks David. They look pretty much the same, except your eye cleanup is an improvement that I should have thought of.

[keith mitchell]

A vote for the repost Bill I do think it just lifts it.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I have to confess I like them all, having siad that I now think the original is a tad heavy on the blacks.!! Beautiful image super details and colours, the prey is also beautifully rendered.