Stilt

[Lorant Voros]

Here is a Black Necked Stilt in the setting Mexican light taken with a 20D, 500mm f:4 ISO 800, f.6, 1/1250. I love this bird and I could watch it moving around for hours. I posted this image on my favorite European forum, but I'd like to know what you guys think.

Comments,critics are welcome. Thanks for looking.

[Dave Leroy]

Lorant I like it. I am not sure how natural the bg colour is, but it is a very nice image. I like how the head and bill are separated from the body. The vertical crop also works well. Dave

[Arthur Morris]

I like the BKGR colors and the COMP and the quiet mood. I would much prefer a pure black SILH. Do you know how to do that? How did the Europeans like it?

[Ramon M. Casares]

I agree 100% with Artie's suggestion, taking the Stilt to pure black was the first thing I though, everything else, comp, light, colores and mood are lovely.
Congratulations!

[Paul Kusmin]

Very nice shot, I love the mood, I agree that a pure black SILH would be preferable.

[Raul Quinones]

I like it, simple composition and nice colors. An although I like pure blacks, sometimes this "versions" show some texture.

[Stu Bowie]

I like the colours in this, and would leave the light on the stilt as is. I would also take a bit off the top, and add to the bottom.

[Lorant Voros]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Here is a try with darkening the bird only, though I like it the way as posted.
Artie, I selected the bird only, in levels I went with the middle slider to the dark end. Is it what you meant? I am not really good with PS; something I am looking forward to learn more about, like I guess many of us in this forum.

I got good comments on the European forum, but I find this forum more critical and very constructive where the photos get looked at deeply; a great place to learn even by reading the comments on other people's photos.

Thanks again. Let me know what you think of this version.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Like the "lighter bird" version too - love the lighting and composition.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the repost Lorant. My preference is for the SILH.

[Juan Aragonés]

Lorant both versions works very fine to me. You did a great compositional job with this image. the pink color of the water is really nice and the placement and pose of the stilt fantastic :-)