Red-bellied Woodpecker Set-up

[Alan Murphy]

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Woodlands, TX

D2Xs, 600, ISO 250, f8 @ 1/250.

Here's a set-up image I have never posted before.
I set this up for a workshop participant with a breeding plumage Male red-bellied Woodpecker.
Choice of perch is key to getting these images from not looking too mundane.
I knew I wanted the bird to pose just under the small ferns, so I drilled a large hole in the spot where his bill is pointing in the image.
I stuffed the hole with seed and suet and he started using it right away.
To bring out the best in the stump, I soaked it overnight allowing the lichen to stay rich and not too bright. I typically keep a spray bottle with me to spray any perches that have light colored lichen on them.
This also gives the moss a saturated effect.


This was shot two feet off the ground.

[Rahul Sachdev]

Stunning shot as usual Alan.
Thanks a lot for the details about the setup. Superb stuff. The only question that remains is how did you get the woodie to actually come to this perch :)

[Joe Senzatimore]

WOW!!!!!! Can't get much better than this.

[Mike Tracy]

I like the position of the woodie and detail on him as well as the limb. The epiphytes above the bird add interest but come a little to close to encroaching his beak. I love all the lichens and the texture of the wood. Since the majority of the lichens are sharp through out I wish the large patch URC were also.

Thanks for always taking the time to explain your setups.

[Dan Brown]

Nice capture Alan! And, thanks for the tech tips! Great ideas.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Alan,
Beautiful as always and really appreciate the story of the set-up.
Best regards,
Nicki

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Alan, This is very nice in my opinion. I love the perch! The lichens and moss makes this special. A nice looking bird that is well exposed and sharp. All this and a nice background makes for a lovely image. I also appreciate the details you shared on your setup. One question; why two feet off the ground? was this to get the background you wanted or for another reason? Thanks for sharing.

[Lorant Voros]

Alan,

Very nice set up and thank you for teaching us by explaining how it was done. Nice bird, perch, BG; all tecs are good as expected. Congrats.

[Alan Murphy]

Hi Alan, This is very nice in my opinion. I love the perch! The lichens and moss makes this special. A nice looking bird that is well exposed and sharp. All this and a nice background makes for a lovely image. I also appreciate the details you shared on your setup. One question; why two feet off the ground? was this to get the background you wanted or for another reason? Thanks for sharing.

Hi Phil, yes it was to have control over the BG and so that it was in the same light as the bird. Thanks.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm really liking the wonderful colours, beautiful perch and BG...and the set-up explanation. I personally find there is too much perch though - I would prefer half of it cropped out from the right, and I would have preferred the bird to sit about one inch lower as not to have the lower leaf so close to the bill. Still, VERY appealing and expertly executed.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Impressive to what extent you go to choose the right perch. Shows dedication. TFS.

Perch looks beautiful though a bit overwhelming perhaps. Wish the bird was a bit lower to have more separation from the fern. Nicely sharp and great light. Congrats, JR

[Krijn Trimbos]

Thanks so much for showing and sharing this with us Alan. Getting the inside information to your set-ups is really informative and helpful thanks for that!

Regarding the shot, I love the perch it is absolutely stunning, birds pose and the hole in the stem looks really natural. If this were mine I would maybe do a little cloning work on the right side of the perch to undo the merging of perch and side of the frame. And also do think that a bit more separation of bill and fern leave would be better, otherwise one of the best set-up shots I have seen of woodpeckers.

Cheers,

Krijn

[Harshad Barve]

Fabulous image as usual and thanks a ton for sharing set up details

[Danny Laredo]

Excellent image Alan. Wonderful setup and light.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Lovely Image Alan, would love to try this trick back home..

[Arthur Morris]

Alan missed this: the bird came to the perch for the food in the hole.... BIRDS AS ART is proud to be offering a $10 pre-publication discount on Alan's upcoming CD book, Songbird Set-Up Photography. You can learn more here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn301.htm

It will be well more than 100 pages of similar tips.....

[paul leverington]

Just purchased--Alan without even seeing the CD, I'm grateful to you for sharing your knowledge from the years of your hard work.

I'm glad you mentioned this Artie.

Paul

[Ian Mason]

Beautiful! Many thanks for the useful tips too.

[Arthur Morris]

Just purchased--Alan without even seeing the CD, I'm grateful to you for sharing your knowledge from the years of your hard work. I'm glad you mentioned this Artie. Paul

YAW Paul. Advance sales are going reat. Thanks for your order.