High Key Black Oystercatcher at eye level on rock shelf. Plus lots of lessons ...

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created at La Jolla, CA with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and my favorite bird photography camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Daylight WB.

One AF point above and two to the right of the center AF point/AI Servo Expand/Shutter Button AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was just above and to our left of the bend of the wing, almost on the same plane as the bird’s eye. FocusTune/LensAlign Micro Adjustment: +2

Just before the San Diego IPT began the weather forecast called for Armageddon-like conditions with torrential rain for three days. We dodged the weather bullet for 2 1/2 days enjoyed wonderful cloudy weather. When it finally rains everyone enjoyed a 3-hour Photoshop session. If you would like to learn more about the qualities of light check out the Learning About Light ... And Lots More blog post here.

As for the image, don't be shy; all honest comments are welcome.

a

[John Whaley]

It is a beautiful image with perfect exposure on the black feathers. Tack focus and fine feather detail. Like the composition and bg with the black body and the two shots of color, beak and eye, stand out without overpowering. - " Plus lots of lessons ..."

What were the lessons + why not focus on the eye?

[Arthur Morris]

It is a beautiful image with perfect exposure on the black feathers. Tack focus and fine feather detail. Like the composition and bg with the black body and the two shots of color, beak and eye, stand out without overpowering. - " Plus lots of lessons ..."

What were the lessons + why not focus on the eye?

Follow the link to the blog for the lots of lessons.

In general the head is a rather small target, and the head moves a lot more than the neck or the breast so those latter spots provide a more reliable target. The trick is pick a spot that is close to or on the same plane as the eye. There is a blog post coming up in two days that addresses lots of AF issues such as the one you asked about. Best advice? Subscribe :)

a

[Tim Foltz]

Artie, great exposure, BG and sharpness, the white spot front right is rather distracting but it's natural and
to me it's always a struggle to decide to remove such distractions or leave them. Love the low angle also.

-Tim

[Joseph Przybyla]

So different than the Oystercatchers here, quite interesting. I have seen the pupil extending into the iris on Oystercatchers here, I always wondered if it was natural or if the pixels dark color bled into the yellow iris. Thank you for sharing, Artie.

[arash_hazeghi]

Very nice frame Artie, tack sharp with good exposure and HA. I like the black OC's, for some reason I haven't had much luck finding them recently.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Tim. I know that I could remove that in .1 seconds with the Patch Tool but I liked the little triangle made by the feet, the whitewash, and the flat little grey rock. Plus, I like ovals :)

a

[Arthur Morris]

There were three consistently at the low cliffs in La Jolla last week :)

a

[keith mitchell]

Arthur I often have a problem deciding if the colour of the beak on these birds looks right(over saturated ) ,must say this does,is that a little deformity at the end? Great that you have got so much detail in those dark feathers,very fine work.

Keith.

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Keith and thanks. The bill color looks right on from here. It is the same color as the orange in Arash's S/F. The "deformity" at the end of the beak is a preened body feather :)

later and love, a

[Arthur Morris]

So different than the Oystercatchers here, quite interesting. I have seen the pupil extending into the iris on Oystercatchers here, I always wondered if it was natural or if the pixels dark color bled into the yellow iris. Thank you for sharing, Artie.

It is natural but I forget the cause or the purpose ...

a