Green Heron

[Brandon Holden]

1DM2n, 600mm... ISO 320, 1/800, F 4.0.. Full frame

Taken during my time spent in Everglades NP, which was far too short! Anhinga Trail early one morning - My shadow was not pointed at the subject, it was off to the left of the bird. I had to wait for the bird to angle itself just right, so it was parallel to me, and yet still entirely lit by the sun! When all that came together, it allowed me to shoot the sunlit bird with a shadowed background behind it, making it record as dark/black...

Back to my work-site for dawn tomorrow morning... At least it won't be below freezing! (so says the weather forecast) As always, thanks for the image comments! (for this photo, and previously posted ones) Hearing positive and negative feedback is very helpful... Especially when trying something new :)

Happy Shooting!

Brandon

[Fabs Forns]

Brandon, I have been enjoying your Florida pictures, this is no exception, amazing you got this without flash, only wish the right foot was visible. Almost a flash as main light image, great example of underexposing the BG.
Great post/processing too.

I hope your work day will be just fine :)

[Stu Bowie]

I like the detail on the heron, and stands out nicely against the darker BG. We have green herons here in SA, but they are more green than this guy - not so much red.

[Arthur Morris]

Nicely done. Love the black BKGR. The bird looks a bit contrasty and over-SATed. But just a bit.

Please let us know how you figured the EXP.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very cool effect you have achieved here. I'm with Fabs about the right foot...wish it was visible. You could also eliminate the branch coming out of the belly, and maybe tone down the perch. I like this one alot, well done :-)

[Brandon Holden]

Nicely done. Love the black BKGR. The bird looks a bit contrasty and over-SATed. But just a bit.

Please let us know how you figured the EXP.

I'm not very creative when it comes to figuring out the exp! Do a quick guess (in manual mode), then check the histogram... I've been doing it long enough, I usually get it very close to where I want! (and once I have it set, I don't check the histogram as often).

Thanks for the comments! :)

Brandon