Dunlin topside bank

[Dorian Anderson]

Got my blue water back! First really sunny day in 3 weeks, so I had to make it count!

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/5000 at f/4, ISO 400
Processed in LR CC. Cloned out a few small water irregularities on in-focus waves.

Was wide open to smooth out water. It's a constant tradeoff: smoother BG vs More DOF on bird......

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the banking position and and the sharp details well done Dorian. On my [calibrated] screen the image shows a slight yellow cast typical of ACR conversion which can't quite figure the right WB. If mine I'd cool it a touch, the rump area should be white with just a touch of warm tones, same for water, been to this location may times, looks a touch yellow compared to reality.

as for blue vs. white, I'd pick blue any day despite the waves, I got many shots with white BG when it was over cast last year, deleted most of them, just doesn't stand out IMO, minus a few special.

good work buddy

[gail bisson]

Wow Dorian! You are giving Arash a run for his money with these great flight shots.
I love the banking pose and the HA. Nice and sharp.
Topnotch in my books!
Gail

[David Cowling]

Great view of the topside plumage, the angle of the light really makes it stand out. I would think that this bird is a fast flyer so you have done well to capture such a sharp image. The slight head turn is nice. So the Pacific really is that blue! TFS.

[Bill Dix]

And make it count you did! Terrific dorsal look at this speeding shorebird. Good flight angle, light, beautiful blue BG. Nice work.

[Isaac Grant]

Excellent Dorian as we should all expect from all of your images. Hard to get much better than this of an in flight Dunlin. I agree it looks a touch yellow to me as well. Easy fix for a killer shorebird frame.

[annmpacheco]

Kudos Dorian, you are a rockin here!

[Dorian Anderson]

I like the banking position and and the sharp details well done Dorian. On my [calibrated] screen the image shows a slight yellow cast typical of ACR conversion which can't quite figure the right WB. If mine I'd cool it a touch, the rump area should be white with just a touch of warm tones, same for water, been to this location may times, looks a touch yellow compared to reality.

as for blue vs. white, I'd pick blue any day despite the waves, I got many shots with white BG when it was over cast last year, deleted most of them, just doesn't stand out IMO, minus a few special.

good work buddy

Thanks man. WB is probably the parameter that gives me the most trouble, technically and artistically. I tend to do everything by eye rather than using a measurement or eyedropper, and I am a huge fan of
really crisp blue since I do so much over-water shooting. So, if anything, I'm usually guilty of pushing scenes/frames cooler than they appeared in the field. It's mostly personal preference though. And yes,
I agree with you, blue water crushes all!

[Colin Driscoll]

Terrific shot. I love that feather texture on the back and shoulders. A question: it's mid-winter there, don't your shorebirds migrate?

[Dorian Anderson]

Most nest in the Arctic and winter at more temperate latitudes, California, for example. The West Coast of the US is loaded with
shorebirds from September to April and devoid of them during the summer nesting season.

[Colin Driscoll]

Of course, all in the one hemisphere, I didn't think that through did I! Accustomed to our down-under shorebirds that leave our mild by comparison winter for the northern hemisphere.

[John Mack]

Very nice. Love the dorsal view and that sweet light with the blue water background.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Beautiful Capture.

I love the blue colors and wing position.

TFS

[Arthur Morris]

Beyond amazing. You should patent these. The topside detail is incredible.

with love, artie