Willet at sunset

[Isaac Grant]

Photographed this Willet this spring at Breezy Point in Queens, New York. Taken moments before the sun set. Image is probably a bit dark but that is how it was in real life and what made that beautiful light so I left it that way.

Canon 7d ii and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. Tripod mounted while lying in sand. ISO 640, f 6.3, SS 1/1600.

Converted in DPP 4. In PS I cropped, sharpened, eye work and applied noise reduction to background.

[Lorant Voros]

I like the low shooting angle, the golden light and the raised foot in this one. TFS.

[keith mitchell]

Isaac I had the same thoughts as yourself re the bird looking dark but I like your thinking keeping the image natural.I like the stepping pose and of course that beautiful light reflected in the water and the sky.

Keith.

[Joe Subolefsky]

Wow really nice angle color and sharpness like everything about it. The only small nit I have is the small round dark spot in the lighter colored water at the 5 O'clock position maybe clone it out or trim the right side at that point removing the dark spot as well as the small OOF clump above it. TFS

[Isaac Grant]

Thanks for the feedback. Here is a version with some of the spots in the water cleaned up and a bit brighter.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Isaac, I prefer the repost, the BG and FG with the raised foot really is lovely. Nice work.

[keith mitchell]

Sorry to disagree Isaac but I much prefer the OP with it's softer lovely light and less clinical finish,it's all a personal thing in the end.

Keith.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nothing to fault here. A beautifully executed shorebird image in sweeter than sweet light. I love the semi-tucked in neck. Very nicely done!

[Frank Schauf]

Great picture, nice deep shooting position in front of a perfect background.

[Mike Poole]

Ticks all the boxes for me Isaac, great light, composition, POV and pose.

Mike

[Ryan von Linden]

Wonderful light, beautiful soft colors, great shooting angle and composition; just a great all around image.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice low angle with good details and a soft BG. well done