Night Heron and Lunch

[Linwood Ferguson]

First post. Got a series of shots today of a cooperative Yellow Crown and trying to pick one from among them. Leaning toward this one, and would like thoughts on it.

It was taken at Ding Darling on Sanibel, with a D300, 200-400 @ 200 ISO 200 1/80th @ f8 in the shade with fill flash (Better Beamer (though close enough not needed) and SB-800 on manual, I forget exactly what setting probably 1/16th or so).

Criticism solicited.

If you care to see more there are a series of 8 here: http://captivephotons.com/gallery/23...92073087_dLL7j

(Hope it's OK to put pointers to other sites).

[Lance Peters]

Hi - A big warm welcome to the BPN Family - Nice first post.

Your exposure looks spot on to me - Like the action you have caught here. The head angle is good and I like the Eye with the catchlight, sharp details thoughout.
Feels a little bit tight up front - a Lower shooting angle would have been good and would have helped with the background as well - May not of been possible from this location.

Keep them coming.

[Chad Griggs]

Welcome!

I agree with everything Lance said. Exposure and black levels look spot on. A lower angle would really improve this image, but your gonna have to get wet!

[Ilija Dukovski]

Big welcome, very nice action. I love the eye!
Agree with Lance about the space. I'm also bothered
by the brownish flare on the right edge. You can probably
fix it in PS.

Cheers, Ilija

[Linwood Ferguson]

I'm also bothered
by the brownish flare on the right edge. You can probably
fix it in PS.
Cheers, Ilija

Yeah, I stared at that trying to decide what to do. It's a blade of grass near the lens (I had the tripod almost on the ground and I was sitting). I tried darkening it just with a gradient and didn't help, and burning it in a bit and that looked artificial. Cloning in due to the structure behind it -- maybe, I either wasn't patient enough or good enough. Is that how you would tackle it? At what point does it cease being "nature" then?

Welcome!
A lower angle would really improve this image, but your gonna have to get wet!

Indeed. I would have either had to almost bury the tripod in the muck, or come off the tripod and get the camera almost in it. Neither was appealing at the time, but in retrospect .... why don't they make diagonals for cameras like they do for telescopes!

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp, excellent use of flash, great head angle, and cool crab. The distracting vegetation below the bird's bill and breast are the reasons that folks suggested going lower (if possible). Even a few inches lower would have been better (but surely difficult).

[Gus Cobos]

A big warm welcome to the BPN family. agree with Mr. Peters on the techs...a lower capture does make the difference...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

Great suggestions and fully agree !!!

With your good performing camera would increase the ISO Not sure why you are going so low and getting into dangerous shutter speeds ... any sudden movement and you lost it !! Did great long lens technique for sharpness.

One a couple of the ones from the link looks like you could have isolated the head against the gorgeous water. I know its difficult getting the low angle at Ding due to the bank. Fine image !!!

[Harold Davis]

nice detail for 1/80s. i might recommend to bump the ISO up to at least 400 and open the aperture wide open for more shutter speed. you certainly got away with it here, but i wouldnt chance. better to be safe!!

great suggestions above. i like the crab and normally dont like tight images, but this one works for me. as far as cloning out the oof grass, it's all about what you are looking for. if you like cleaner images with more focus on the subject, then go for it. if not, leave it. whatever makes you happy!!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Welcome to the family. Excellent details, head angle and eye contact.
Big Congrats