Godwit

[Stuart Hill]

Took this over weekend. Evening shot but light was still quite harsh. Unfortunately, couldn't get lower as shot from a hide. (your help is sinking in, really starting to think more before I shoot)

D300 + Sigma 500mmm f4.5
iso400
1/800s @ f6.3

thanks for looking and your help always appreciated.

regards.
Stu.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Stuart,
I like the image...yes, you had harsh lighting, but you did very well considering. As you stated, the capture angle is what it is...:) I like the color rendition and details on the bird...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Harold Davis]

i think the lower angle would have minimized the cluttered bg, but as you said, not possible. as is, there are some specular highlights in the bg that are a little distracting. easily fixed along with the double catchlight in the eye. other than that, you nailed it with the harsh light and i dont think there's anything else you could have done! handled it well!!!

[Fabs Forns]

Angle looks fine too me, but I see too much conttrastt on it, plus you could have used a wider aperture to blue the busy background.

[carole wiley]

Your bird is nice and sharp with rather nice colors. Would you consider a tighter crop from the top I wonder? Perhaps just below the re bit to eliminate some of the distracting BG, then, of course you would have to take some off the bottom....just a thought

[Lance Peters]

Hi - Great advice above - Itoo think just a tad to much contrast.
A lower angle and a larger aperture would have made a big difference - ohh to live in a perfect world.
:)
Keep em coming!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice work, as Fab's said wide open if possible will help shallow DoF here. Other than that, the exposure techs are solid. Pictures are starting to look good. Remember to keep BG simple as possible when possible. Many times I have clutter as well, but the difference is a strong picture vs a much weaker image.

Nice HA, nice light, the eye could use some work. When all three of these line up, it usually spells success.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Agree with all the advices given. Your bird is sharp with good exposure. As for the background I might try to selectively desaturate to make the bird stand out more.

[Alfred Forns]

Probably the best you could do from your position !!! Glad your figuring things out before pulling the trigger !!!

All else you could do is sit and wait for a different pose/perspective as it moves around !!!

[Stuart Hill]

Thanks again for your help and advice. Will have a go at workng the background as suggested and lower the constrast. Got a weeks holiday coming up so will have a go at the crawling around in the mud shot.

regards.
stu.