Bald Eagle Portrait
Ran into two bald eagles on the same tree. One near the top and this one around mid-way up the tree.
D300 200-400 f4 @ 400; ISO 400 f9 1/320 sec; monopod; no flash; WB; cropped. Shot in late afternoon.
It's been sunny for a while with more than 15 hrs of sunshine everyday. It is a the kind of weather many people like, but somehow I've found myself looking forward to overcast sky ;)
Thanks for looking !!
Hi desmond - amazing birds - wish to see one - oneday. Looks like you have done really well to get such a clear view on the bird, looks sharp.
Not much you could do about the BG - it is what it is. Couple of spots look a tad over - Could well just be my monitor though. (I know AL once told me anyhting above about 240 - will look over once posted to the web)
Two things I would do - Clone out the shadow under the beak and also the one branch that intersects the right hand foot.
Do you have my dream Lens???? Nikon 200-400VR :)
Hi Desmond,
Love this a lot - agree with Lance on the shadow - don't mind so much about the branch.
BTW we could do with a few of your sunny skies over here!!!
Beautiful Desmond, like the detail composition and exposure gorgeous bird
Thanks guys!
Lance, yup, it's THE 7.2 lb solid Nikon 200-400 f4 VR :)
Nicki, long hours of sunshine means long hours of harsh light. The eagle was looking down at my camera and hence the big shadow underneath the bill and also on the eyes.
I take your point Desmond, but a little sunshine would be nice!!!
Hi Desmond!Originally Posted by Desmond Chan
I think your critique is spot on! Not much you can do with the harsh light, and you did the best possible. Not much you can do with the background ... it is the bird's environment. However, good eye contact and head angle. Like how you included all the bird and the toes. Hope you have a better opportunity and another chance at him!
Desmond, since this is such a nice image and all has been said by the previous experts, all I wanted to say is congrats my friend.
Regards
hi desmond. agree that you did a good job in the conditions. one thing i might suggest is to take a little off the right side and add a little to the left. i know the bird is looking straight ahead, but his head is tilted slightly to the left. just trying to get the bird slightly out of the center of the frame. i might would add just a bit to the bottom also for his virtual tail. and you might desaturate those blues in the bg. not sure what to do about those shadows. maybe a s/h adjustment.
Big congrats on you eagle Desmond. I like the background, its called habitat...:):p:p:D I agree with Mr. Lance reference the cloning of the shadows on his neck...other wise I like it...:cool:
You did well in very harsh light but it is best to avoid these lighting conditions especially when photographing black and white birds. Best to work in softer light or on cloudy days.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
Thanks Artie and all you folks for the comments and suggestions!
I've found it strange myself that I like cloudy days more and more :D
Posting Permissions
