This is as close as I could get to a head turn from this busy bird. Much more interested in what's just under the bark... I am beginning to use the built-in flash for fill, but find it pretty weak. Gotta get a real flash unit soon. Going to go for either the Canon 580 EX II or the Mecablitz (Metz) 58AF.
50D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L + 1.4x @ 280mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering @ EC -2/3, ISO 200 1/250sec@f/6.3 (to accomodate the on-board flash), built-in flash used at FEC 0, color temperature set at 5100K.
Hi Kerry,
A very unusual angle of capture, the head angle is not the best; but lets just say that Mr. Woody was busy looking at something that caught his attention...:DThere is something funky looking about the area next to his neck; I don't know if its cloning marks or part of the bark from the tree...the details and colors on the bird are good...looking forward to the next one...:cool:
Hi Kerry Flash wise would suggest sticking with Canon. The 580 EX11 is a great unit !!
If you go back to the histogram I think it will show it was under exposed. This set up was tricky since the proper exposure would have blown the bg As you suggested flash is the key !!!
Good one Kerry, I like the pose. You must have gotten fairly close as well. I guess the whitish area of the throat sort of blends into the bark colour. Good for you to use the flash.
Dave
On certain subjects an angled shot really can add drama. You seemed fairly close to the subject. It would be nice to see the OOF stick on the LRC removed in PS.
I haven't used much flash when shooting birds, but when I received my external flash and shot some family portraits indoors, it was a night and day difference for the better.
Nuttal's Woodpecker
