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Thread: Little bee-eater

  1. #1
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Default Little bee-eater

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    I usually try to avoid photographing small subjects in side-light conditions. However, in this instance, the soft quality of the light and the complimentary colours in the background prompted me to try it. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. This image was created on my trip to the Okavango earlier this month.

    Camera Model: NIKON D3
    Date/Time: 2009:09:05 16:19:22
    Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
    Aperture: 6.3
    Exposure mode: Manual
    Exposure compensation: -1/3
    Flash: Off
    Metering mode: Multi-segment
    ISO: 500
    Lens: 500mm
    Focal length: 700mm

  2. #2
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    Its a beautiful picture Chris. The BKGR colors are matching well with that of the bird as well as the a very good eye angle, nice DOF and the belly which is in shadow is actually glowing which otherwise would have lost its color.
    If it was my picture I would have painted the black color for the one finger on the left leg ( a little bit distracting in otherwise smooth flow of shadow)
    Overall a very good one in my book :-). Congratulations!!

  3. #3
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    I think I like this even better than the previous one because the BG really adds interest. Light, sharpness and composition look good, too. If anything I might desaturate the yellows on the neck a few points.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    another stunner Chris. lovely BG colours, sharpness and exposure on the bird. in a perfect world, I would like this image without the distinguishable leaves on the right (you might even attempt a crop to that effect?)
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Superb! Great species, BG, detail, colors, sharpness, comp and overall image. Despite the angle of light wasn't ideal you manage to get great detail.
    Congratulaitons!

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    Beautiful colors and perch, Very nice sharpness. I like the BG alot.

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    I like the side lighting in this image. I find the background to be very complementary of the bird. The colors are very pleasing. Nice overall composition. Very nice and thanks for sharing.

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    I feel you have exposed the colours perfectly Chris. Good light sharp, with a lovely BG. I would be tempted to crop this to a vertical, as I find the leaves URC a tad distracting.

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    I think the light angle works perfectly well here Chris. The complimentary BG colors and habitat inclusion really make the image for me.
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    lovely pose , BG and shrapness with details
    TFS

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    This is a beautiful shot of one of my all-time favorite birds. I love how the background mimics the bird's colors. I like the side lighting also, as it adds some depth to the image. A bit more DOF might have been nice to bring in more of the tail and perch, but not sure what it would have done to the background.

  12. #12
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for the great comments and suggestions!

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