Sandhill Crane Portrait 2017

[Daniel Grossi]

So happy to see the Sandhills have returned.

D500
Nikkor 600mm f/4e FL
1/500
f/8
ISO-400
Center Weight Average

Cleveland, Ohio
May 2017
Clear and sunny about an hour after sunrise

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Daniel, the Sandhill Crane looks really good. Nice detail and color, maybe lower the exposure a tiny bit. A better background would improve the image. Try this, when you have a bird you want to photograph turn your attention to what the background will be. Sometimes moving right or left, up or down a little will give a better background. Thank you for sharing.

[Daniel Grossi]

Hi Daniel, the Sandhill Crane looks really good. Nice detail and color, maybe lower the exposure a tiny bit. A better background would improve the image. Try this, when you have a bird you want to photograph turn your attention to what the background will be. Sometimes moving right or left, up or down a little will give a better background. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Joseph - I really do appreciate the critique feedback. Especially on photos that I consider some of my best. My normal routine is...

1) Look for good light
2) Look for a good background
3) Find a subject

Sometimes I get a bit too excited and blow it all off for the subject when I see something interesting. I 100% agree with you on the background and it being a bit too bright. What I'm happy about however, is that I took the time to wait until the bird was in a good position i.e. head parallel or angled in. Thanks again.

[Allen Sparks]

Hi Daniel,
Nice portrait and I do like the position of the head. Exposure on the bird looks okay to me. Agree the BG is a bit distracting. Nice image overall.
Allen

[Alex Becker]

Agree re: the background. The eye looks nice here, but I would consider cloning out the second catchlight if willing -- not a huge thing but it might make the eye pop more. Have fun with the 600mm!

[Daniel Grossi]

Hi Daniel,
Nice portrait and I do like the position of the head. Exposure on the bird looks okay to me. Agree the BG is a bit distracting. Nice image overall.
Allen

Thanks Allen!

[Daniel Grossi]

Agree re: the background. The eye looks nice here, but I would consider cloning out the second catchlight if willing -- not a huge thing but it might make the eye pop more. Have fun with the 600mm!

Thanks Alex. I'll take a look at that in LR. Having a blast with the 600 - it's going to be tough going back to the 2-5.