Golden-fronted woodpecker

[D. Robert Franz]

I captured this male Golden-fronted woodpecker during the 08 ICF Pro Tour Contest.

For this image I used a remote triggering device.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Shutter speed: 1/100 sec
Aperture: 9
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Flash: On
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 320
Focal length: 500mm
Subject distance: 6.7 m

[Tony Whitehead]

Nice pose showing the tail prop well, Robert. Beautifully sharp with DOF covering the whole bird. Harsh shadow on the bark draws attention to the flash and could be lightened easily. Eye looks to be also reflecting flash - ?steel eye. Burning in the trunk in the LLC may be worth considering.

[D. Robert Franz]

Nice pose showing the tail prop well, Robert. Beautifully sharp with DOF covering the whole bird. Harsh shadow on the bark draws attention to the flash and could be lightened easily. Eye looks to be also reflecting flash - ?steel eye. Burning in the trunk in the LLC may be worth considering.

Agee with the eye but not sure what your talking about a shadow on the trunk??

[Tony Whitehead]

Agee with the eye but not sure what your talking about a shadow on the trunk??

Sorry, Robert. I should have explained myself better. It is these shadows that make the flash obvious to my eye.

[D. Robert Franz]

Top left shadow is the nest cavity...

[Tony Whitehead]

Top left shadow is the nest cavity...

I appreciate that. All I was suggesting was diffusing the shadow to reduce the harsh edge which makes the small light source of the flash more obvious.

[Alfred Forns]

Sweet image Dale !!! You sure clean up on those contest !!! Best of luck for this year, hope you draw a good farm !!!

I like the suggestions by Tony, just subtle changes !!! Understand that is the nest cavity but could not tell by the angle, looked more like a crack in the bark !! Big Time Congrats !!!