I just ordered the 2 book Birds as Art and am anxious to see all the helpful tips, tricks, etc. Art has published in these 2 works. I just got into photography about 2 years ago and I just can't seem to get enough of it. Being 62 years young I look to do this a whole lot more every day pretty soon.
I got this Osprey the other day while getting some shots of a Clark's and western grebe at a near by lake here in Phoenix.
Hi Bernie,
A big warm welcome to the BPN family...I like your image and capture. You have fine, sharp feather details and a good head angle with direct sharp eye contact. I would recommend on cropping about 1/4 from the right side of your frame, and adding a little bit on the top and the bottom to give him more wing space. In addition you can lighten the under wing just a tad and tone down the warm white area around the neck area due to the harsh light angle...good show...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Welcome,..BIF, love them and this is a good one. Couple of tips to help you out, try and have the sun and wind at your back when possible for best best results.
I noticed you did not mention any exposure compensation to support the AV mode? Usually, we shot about EV=+1.5 off the sky as a general rule for BIF on a sunny day with a light blue sky. This will keep exposure from overexposure, how did this histogram look?
Nice full wing position and sharp eye. Techs look good, need info on EV setting?
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 11-11-2009 at 11:54 PM.
With these birds you need conditions on your side for a perfect image. Most of the ones you see with gorgeous underwing detail are made a the beach, sand acts like a giant reflector lighting the underside of the bird.
For birds overhead you are photographing the shadow side of the bird because the light is on top, you need give extra light compensation, normally one over. In strong light this will overexpose the head area which is in full sun..... that is why you need ideal light for these !!
As presented I like the crop, wing position, direct look and bg Might try getting some detail in the whites and increase mid tone contrast. It is a very nice capture !!! For the whites you can make a layer, select then multiply .. we have some tutorials showing specific details. Guessing the original was little under and you used shadow/highlight .... am at work and don't like re posting form laptop !! Will give it a try at home .. or someone else can give it a try !!! Looking forward to the next one !!!
Here is my try on bring out more white details and lighten the wing. Seem like I lighten the wing a bit too much.
Love the wing span and direct eye contact. Harsh side light hurts your image here, the histogram show little white and black lost but there still a big different in highlight and shadow area. Did you lighten the wing in the original post? I see a bit of halo around the wing.
Don't see the original now? Re post is a bit light Once you need to lighten the underside of the wings they just don't look right. PS work is good, avoided halos and the image could be tweaked !!!
Osprey
