Magpie Shrike

[Bill Dix]

From Botswana in 2018.

D500, Sigma 150-600C @ 550mm, ISO 2000, 1/1000s @ f/6.3 manual.

[Jonathan Ashton]

The shrike looks very good, accurate colours and excellent detail. Theback ground looks muted, I am sure you made it so as is are the perches, I would be inclined to add just a little contrast there.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, great look back pose, and what a feisty character you have captured. Well exposed, and we have a great view of the long tail.

[Brian Sump]

Really nice Bill, also a new one for me.

The exposure and balance in the whites and blacks is solid.

Did you perhaps do any extra noise reduction or other work on the head? It appears smoother than the body by a good bit, and richer but could just be the lighting.

Agree with Jonathan on livening up the bkg.

TFS!

[Bill Dix]

Thanks for the observations, guys. I noticed as soon as I posted this that the background and perch looked somewhat pale. I don't know why I didn't notice it before. Here's a RP where I added a fair amount to perch and BG.

Brian, it's been awhile, but I don't recall doing anything different to the head. I probably did do some NR on the bird and may have selectively erased some of that NR layer if it was looking overly smooth. I do think that the head has a little more texture by virtue of the feathers and lighting.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Good one, Bill. Like the perch and of course that great look back he gave you.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Brian Sump]

Nice edits Bill!

[David Roach]

Love the pose and the framing on this canvas and the re-post makes subtle improvements. TFS

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow Bill, this is one of your finer postings of late! I love the bird, love the perch, love the BG. I too feel like it looks a bit smooth in some of those blacks, but what a beautiful frame!

[John Mack]

Great view of that tail. The vertical framing is nice as well. Background is killer.