Red Shoulder Hawk

[John Hawkins]

I took this picture today on Sanibel. It took me by surprise as I was walking and landing just off the path from me and I hurried to get a shot before it took off. Used my Sony A700 with a Sigma 50-500 lense. Data-ISO 800, 500mm, 2.3 ev, f/11, 1/250. Thanks for looking, John

[Doug Brown]

Very stark image, but I like it a lot. I might back off on the contrast, and would lighten the eyes a bit. Wish you could see the beak a little better.

[Judd Patterson]

I'd say you made the most of a difficult scene. Soft light is great for birds down in the canopy or on the ground, but it's extremely hard to work a bird highlighted against a white sky. The high contrast works well with this high-key image. I'll bet he lives in the area, so stay prepared for future opportunities!

[Julie Kenward]

I think for high key this really works! Those eyes are so intense and the position of the bird is very nice. I agree that the beak gets a bit lost - you might be able to recover a little detail with a shadow/highlight layer just below the beak or do a little dodging there.

[Arthur Morris]

Love the high key look and yes, a bit lighter on the mid and dark tones would reduce the contrast nicely.