Back/Side Lit Fluff...

[David Roach]

At Anhinga Trail this morning, this juvie landed right in front of me and fluffed on the railing. Despite morning back/side light, I grabbed this image. I kinda like the way it turned out. I guess that proves the comon adage; "When in doubt, just hit the shutter button".
1DMKIIN 100-400 ISO 800 F5.6@1/500

[Jim Poor]

I like it very much as well. Back/side-light isn't a bad thing at all when handled like this.

[Randy Stout]

David:

"Photographic Rules" are there to help, but sometimes other approaches work just great. Once you understand the rules, you get a better idea for when to go beyond them, and still get great pictures.

Excellent exposure here, sharp, love the definition you have in the feathers, because of the side light. Head angle good. The open beak with the backlight making it glow a bit is fine.

I might consider cropping just a bit from the left, and up a bit from the bottom, to eliminate the small area of background in the lower left. A minor point, but you might want to at least try it, see what you think.

Thanks for sharing this lovely image.

Randy

[David Roach]

Thanks as always for the thoughtful comments and learnings. I was lucky as I was imaging some vultures on a big ole dead gator in low morning light and had the exposure (+2/3) set perfect for this situation. Otherwise, as I looked at the settings, having to change them I would have lost the "shake".

[Daniel Cadieux]

I think the light works well despite its' angle. I do think the crop is awkward at bottom. That small gap below the feathers in LLC could/should be cropped out. This would also give the heron a better "base" to sit on.

[Stephen Stephen]

Mark I like backlit effect and the slightly open bill on this bird. I'd agree with Dan's suggested crop though