Grey Lourie

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Captured this image of a Grey Go-away Bird in Botswana this past February. The English name comes from the call they make. C&C welcome.

D500, Sigma 150-600mm C @ 550mm, 1/2500s, f 7.1, HH, ISO 1250.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Geoff, good HA here and yes, their call is unmistakable. Shame on the light, but in turn you have achieved a good high key image.

The correct name is Grey Lourie. Go away bird is a nick name.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Hi Geoff, good HA here and yes, their call is unmistakable. Shame on the light, but in turn you have achieved a good high key image.

The correct name is Grey Lourie. Go away bird is a nick name.

Thanks Stu. Would you please change the Title to Grey Lourie for me. Yes, at least the overcast was bright so I could get a decent high key image.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Juan Tolentino]

Really nice pose on this interesting looking bird. I like how the perch and the bird have almost the same color. I'd probably move it a little bit back on the frame. I hope he doesn't get stuck in the thorns when he takes off. TFS.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Geoffrey, a subject not often posted, but always nice to see.

I think it's suffering from a hint more 'Tonal Contrast' not the stuff that NIK does, just needs some variations from Black to White. Also is this a big crop, as the sharpness looks/appears a bit soft?

TFS
Steve

[gail bisson]

I like the image design and the monochrome color palette.
The bird itself seems a bit soft to my eye. I also wish for a better HA.
It needs some levels or contrast work to make it pop. If the sharpness of the bird is good in the RAW then a rework in PP is certainly worthwhile!
Gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love that thorny perch and all its branches. Very cool. Pleasing comp. The blacks could go deeper, and I agree with a better head angle, but nice overall.

[Dorian Anderson]

Never even head of this bird, so thanks for giving us something new. Perch is really neat but is a bit busy. Light was tough but you made it work.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thank you all very much, and after I looked at the posted image I knew it needed what some of you are suggesting. Thanks again Stu.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thanks again everyone. I have taken the suggestions you've recommended, re tonal contrast, levels, a tad more sharpening, and even pulled back a bit in the frame Juan. Steve, very small crop for composition.

Geoffrey





http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Steve Kaluski]

It's definitely moving in the right direction Geoffrey, but I still feel it has the appearance of being under exposed and some degree of Noise in the plumage.