It Ain't the Camera and it Ain't the Lens PART III

[Arthur Morris]

This Snowy Egret with a perfectly misplaced feather was photographed against the blinding reflections of the sun on the lagoon at North Beach, Fort DeSoto with the Canon 400mm DO IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, and the EOS 40D. Handheld while on my belly and up on my elbows to get the background that I wanted.

ISO 200. Evaluative metering -1 1/3 stops: 1/1600 at f/20. This resulted in a very few flashing highligths in the BKGR that were easily recovered during conversion.

With Canon pro bodies the correct exposure for this type of image would be close to -3 stops.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Artie,
Nice, interesting image. I like the detail in that single feather. The infamous "DO doughnuts" work quite well in this image. I've purposely tried to create a few images with them but not quite to this impact. Personally, haven't found them to be as big a problem as reported on some of the web reviews of the DO.
Steve

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Artie, Nice, interesting image. I like the detail in that single feather. The infamous "DO doughnuts" work quite well in this image. I've purposely tried to create a few images with them but not quite to this impact. Personally, haven't found them to be as big a problem as reported on some of the web reviews of the DO. Steve

That's because those complaining about the doughnuts have never taken an image with the lens... You would get the same relative effect here with a standard lens with glass elements...

I call this type of image either an "11am silhouette" or a "blasting highlights silhouette."

[DustinFinn]

I think I would like it better if the entire background was the OOF blinding circles of reflection instead of the touch of black at the top and bottom.

I wonder what was behind you because you are shooting into the SUN here ;)

[Maxis Gamez]

Very creative, sharp and I like the composition but the black areas are distraction and I would like to see DO "doughnuts" all around the frame!

Thanks!

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I agree with Maxis regarding doughnuts all over the frame. But that is not a deal breaker for me. I like this image for its simplicity. A million thanks Artie for bringing into focus the IQ of the photographer. Too often we get bogged down in discussing the IQ of the camera and lens.

[Julie Kenward]

I like the dark rim at the bottom and wish the top had the same width of dark to kind of balance it out and create a natural "frame" of sorts. Beautiful silhouette, Artie!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Artie,
I like this as presented - the black bits don't bother me - I like the simplicity of the image. Cool!!
Regards,
Nicki

[John Chardine]

I also find this image very creative. The misplaced feather adds a lot of interest as does the tufts on the back of the head and lower breast. I like the dark areas because it gives the image depth- the lower one essentially representing the horizon. I guess the f20 makes the OOF highlights more in focus than they would be normally. You can certainly see the 8-blade iris of the DO.

Speaking of doughnuts- remember the mirror lenses of old? I had the Canon FD 500 f8 and it made DOUGHNUTS!

[Fabs Forns]

Talk about an odd hairdo :)

Another example of how specular highlights could work for your benefit.