Common Snipe Close Up

[William Dickson]

Canon 1DX Mk2
f/4 400mm DO Mk2 with 1.4iii
f/8
1/200
ISO 2000

These birds are so difficult to get close to, but I got lucky with this one...It was perched on top of a wooden post at the side of the road, enjoying the early morning light....I saw it as I was driving, slowed down, turned the engine off, and free wheeled till I got near. Managed a few shots before it flew off into the undergrowth....1/200 I know is usually a too low a SS, but this guy was perched like a statue....HH...ACR, Topaz DN and PS2021.

Will

[David Roach]

A fantastic opportunity with great application of fieldcraft (including car) and photography. Just wonderful composition, exposure, BG and details. No nits from here. TFS

[dankearl]

Very nice, smooth, perfect color, excellent processing!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Spot on Will, how on earth did you manage to get so close- well done!

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Will vey cool that you got that close to this species .
Nice clean closeup , colors looking good and the tones from lights to 3/4 tone as well .
Might go a tad lower with the blacks as a personal pref .

Not sure if I am right ... just guessing .... Topaz has forgotten some noise in the eye . The feather structure does show signs of the Topaz " algorithm " .... well I think !

Nevertheless a great photograph that I might process differently in parts .

TFS Andreas

[William Dickson]

Thanks guys for the comments....Much appreciated.

Will

[William Dickson]

Spot on Will, how on earth did you manage to get so close- well done!

Hi Jon....I was fully expecting the bird to fly off as soon as I stopped the vehicle so close to the bird....But, he chose to remain perched, and allowed me a few shots....One of those lucky moments I guess. This was at the same Glen where I photograph the Red Grouse. If you ever get the chance to visit Scotland after this Covid is over(if it ever is), I would gladly take you to this location....I am sure you would love it....

Will

[Brian Sump]

That's close Will.... holy smokes!

Love the composition and the bkg compliments nicely. Well done so as to not allow for dof fall off on the subject and great angle getting the bill even with the sensor.

Sensing just a bit of noise left in several parts of the subject but you got detail for days.

Really well done!

[John Mack]

You were close to this fella. I like the framing. The overcast light brang out the detail very nicely. Neat feather patterns.