Grey Heron

[Stu Bowie]

Not the normal BG that I would see these herons against, but I like the dorsal view in this. The grass BG may be a tad distracting, but as we always say, we cant choose where they want to spend some chill time. Taken in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. This is lowest possible angle that I could achieve.

Canon 50D
100-400 L IS USM @ 400mm
1/2000
F/7.1
ISO 500

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held from a hide.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

I do like the dorsal view as well, shows off the details in the feathers. Nice HA as well, well exposed. The light was a bit contrasty, as evidenced by the shadows, but you handled it well. The light angle was well off your left shoulder, but the birds angle in the frame helped a lot.

From a comp. standpoint, I find myself wanting a little more room below. Not a very objective reason, but thats how it strikes me. Perhaps the old 'virtual feet' thing.

Thanks for sharing.

Randy

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Sharpness, composition and eye contact look good. A lower angle would have been nice but maybe that was not possible in the blind.

[Brian Barcelos]

Stuart, I agree with Randy and Axel here although I might sharpen the head a little more.

Brian

[Juan Aragonés]

Very harsh light conditions but you did a good job considering the light. I like the head turn but agree with Axel about the shooting angle and with Randy about the room for the virtual legs

[Morkel Erasmus]

good exposure in less-than-ideal light Stu. love the detail on the back feathers and wish for a lower angle.

[Ramon M. Casares]

You did well with what you had I think. Personally I would've gone with a wider aperture. Light was a tad harsh but the angle is great and the fact that you were a bit higher also helped with this IMO. Nice pose and detail.
Congratulations.

[Art Kornienko]

BG seems a bit distracting to me and the light a tad harsh, tough conditions.

[Indranil Sircar]

I like as it is presented. I would have preferred a slightly saturated color for the bill.

[Ryan Lambert]

Good detail captured in not such good conditions, BG may be a bit distracting, but you took a good pic with what you were presented.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the constructive feedback.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Looks pretty good for what you had to work with mate. I like the HA, always important, no matter whether low or high perspective. Light seems a little harsh but you managed well. More room below for me as well.
Thanks for sharing.

[Dave Barnes]

Morning Stu. Most has been said, have yo thought of cleaning the bill and adding a bit of sats to it to bring out the colour?