I love this image, the low angle, the BG, the light angle and the subject. I think that it is a good result but I was trying to capture flights and I forget to change the camera settings. Selfcritic: lowe ISO, lowe shutter speed and a different f-stop should be used here for the optimal quality and DOF :o
Of course, for me, this one is a keeper
Nikon D300 AFS Nikkor 500VR full frame, f4 1/3200s IS=400
Nothing to add, Juan. You and Manos have covered it all. Love how the matching colours of plumage and BG focus attention on the bill and that superb eye.
I do like the simplicity of your image! I don't mind the DOF, though arguably a bit more would probably have enhanced your bird. I do find the LLC a little tight for my taste. Good to see that even the best in bird photography world forget to change settings too! :P
Ditto all the plusses above. Great bird and image. Light and low angle killer. Losing the black thing and the several lighter areas would be an option.
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This very nice Juan! Only thing is that although I love the superb low angle I kinda wish you had gotten higher just a tiny bit to see more of the foot and in-focus sand that is trying to peek above the FG. Killer species...I love the black collar around the throat.
Juan,
Were you in a hole:)?
Sharp, well exposed, great background, beautiful subject. It's all there.
The only thing I could add is possibly a tiny bit of additional room behind the bird might be beneficial.
However, I would have no problem with this in my files as is.
Congrats!
James
Super image Juan! Love the low angle and exposure. One thing that I keep looking to is the horizon line in the eye (slightly distracting). I would consider maybe keeping the catchlight but removing that line and keeping the whole eye one tone. I would try it out but i'm on my work pc and dont have photoshop.
James, no hole here just lying in the flat ground of a dry pond (30 minutes lying in the ground and walking like a lizard to get close enought to the bird :D!)
Mark, the horizon line in the eye is one of the things I like the most in this image but I would try to see how your suggestion works :)
John you are wellcome in Spain, pratincoles are waiting for you ;)
Akos... :)
I agree that the bird is a bit tight in the left side of the frame but I can live with that. I am not sure but I think that I have no images of this guy from a higher point of view so the issue of the feet is there to stay but I will look into the RAW files for the case that I have one with a better point of view of the feet. I have a couple of images with the lens resting on the sand (from a lower angle) that shows part of the blue sky in the BG but I think I prefer the ones with no blue in the BG.
Would love to hear your thoughts about which version works better.
Collared pratincloe (Glareola pratincola)
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