African Stonechat #3

[Stu Bowie]

I am very fortunate to live close to a nature reserve. Some weekends, I like to drive around and capture various birdlife and animals. These stone chats often give me lovely images. The BG in this is winter grass.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1250
F/6.3
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held from the car.

[Graham Smith.]

very nice shot Stuart!
Love the BG and sharpness of the bird. I like the fancy footwork this guy is doing to hold onto the perch too - I don't imagine he was like that for too long. The stem that comes up in front of his feet is a little unfortunate. Also, the white on his neck looks blown, but that could just be my monitor here at work.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Stuart,
I love the pose and the perch and where the little guy is placed in the frame. Agree with neck white but that is very minor. I do like the BG but did you try just darkening it a bit...not much, just to complimnet the bird a bit more.
IAC....well handled compositionally with nice sharpness and pose.

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Lovely image Stu! Like the pose, BG & composition. Ditto lack of detail in whites, but a minor as stated.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful bird, pose and BG, good perch too. Excellent comp, well designed. White detail-less neck is too bad. Looks like the pupil could go darker. Could be me but I seem to see some softness along some of the twigs' edges?

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, I agree w/ comments already given and would like to add that I really like your long perch compositions-they are very appealing. Nice head turn and catchlight.

[Mital Patel]

very similar to the one we find here in India Siberian Stonechat (male) very impressive looking guys. wonderful capture and well said above everything i just feel that there is some cloning artifacts visible surrounding the branch can be easily touched up

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely colours and comp. Whites and perch edges mentioned.

[Fabs Forns]

Simple and sweet composition, with nice warm colors. I like the catch light on black eye :)

[Arsdel Fluesmeier]

Very nice image. I like the pose and the background.

[Arthur Morris]

A simple and elegant COMP. I did not notice the hot whites until I read the comments above; I was too busy enjoying the detail in the blacks.

[Harshad Barve]

Swwet image with simple compo and killer BG
TFS

[Simon Bennett]

Nice pose and background.

[Morkel Erasmus]

hi Stu - whites noted but I too loved the exposure on the blacks and find the comp pleasing, mate.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks all so much for the kind words. Much appreciated.

[David Fletcher]

Great shot Stu. Not going to bother with the whites as Artie noted, the blacks carry the field. Comp is great as is bg. Very nicely done and prioritized. WD! Dave

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks so much Dave.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Excellent BG bro! Lovely pose and light on your Stonechat. Love everything about this image! great pose!

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack bro.