Bird Silhouette

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I was trying out a little to get parakeets against the sun. One such attempt.

Look forward to your comments.

Had missed the EXIF earlier. Having a tough day today. :o
ISO 400, Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM, EF 2xII, f25, 1/8000, EV: - 1 2/3


Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent idea, and I like the juxtaposition of the bird and sun. The silhouette looks good, and I like the colours in the sky. I would have preferred if the lens was pointed more to the left and down as the sun is rather tight at the edge and there is too much black space at top. If only the parakeet had raised its head a bit you would have had a nice outline of the curved bill :-)

[Robert Amoruso]

Your on the right track Saby. Getting the sun better placed in the image is the first thing to do. Next and what I always do is make the image when the bird's head is parallel to you and creating the best silhouette.

[Beth Goffe]

I agree with Daniel on the sun positioning but while I understand Robert's point about the silhouette, I like the pose as shown. Even if one can't tell that this is a parakeet (or parrot), you can tell it's a preening bird and it like the mood it evokes.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Daniel is right. Its a parakeet. In India there are no parrots. I should have mentioned it, but was hurriedly posting. Also, I had forgot to post the EXIF details. So editing and posting the details in the original post.

It was early in the morning and I wanted to create an early morning silhouette. However, the sun got hotter, and it is difficult and not advisable to look directly through the view finder. How do you guys do this? I understand live view would be effective here. How do you do without live view?

ISO 400, Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM, EF 2xII, f25, 1/8000, EV: - 1 2/3

I think I could have used ISO 100 instead of ISO 400. But the parakeet flew and sat at that instant and I immediately decided to compose this image. I missed on the ISO bit while photographing. Childish mistake. :o

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Fabs Forns]

I like, although I would have preferred a different position on the frame. Placing the juxtaposition on the upper right would have resulted in a stronger composition.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool idea and mood, I agree with Daniel regarding the composition.

[Arthur Morris]

In addition to the above, why not center the subject in the sun??? Shoulda woulda coulda been a HORZ.

[Beth Goffe]

Hi Sabyasatchi, I mentioned "parrot" in context with random people looking at your image and not knowing the actual species but still appreciating the preening posture. Sorry if I wasn't too clear in my comment. :)

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Hi Artie,
I didn't visualise it in horizontal mode. I wanted it with the sun, and tried vertical. Will try it in future. I would like to know, how do you frame it since one can't look at the sun directly through the view finder. My camera doesn't have a live view.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Artie,
I didn't visualise it in horizontal mode. I wanted it with the sun, and tried vertical. Will try it in future. I would like to know, how do you frame it since one can't look at the sun directly through the view finder. My camera doesn't have a live view. Cheers, Sabyasachi

With the dark area at the top and a relatively HORZ branch, HORZ would have been the way to go. To frame the image, use a small aperture and press the stop-down lever. Take your eye from the viewfinder before making the image.

I am 99% sure that ABP II has detailed instructions on how to focus and create such images even with huge suns in clear skies....

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Thanks Artie!

I am sure ABAP II is a great guide. A friend of mine had gifted me your Original ABP and it is a well written and handy book.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi