The raven

[Peter Coskun]

This image was shot outside the grand canyons bright angel lodge. The ravens here are very bold and will allow you to get quite close or they will come to you in search of scraps. Most people overlook ravens there because they are so common and most people want to seek out the much more incredible California condors that take refuge on some of the cliffs, and if lucky enough can spot one (had no luck there). The background is a boulder wall across from the lodge and this raven was right in front of the car. Cropped this into a vertical frame to give it more of a portrait type feel. Let me know what you think!

Canon eos 7d
Canon 400mm f/5.6L @f/5.6
1/250th of a sec
iso 500
+1/3 EV
hand held

[Markus Jais]

Great portrait with perfect exposure in the Raven and wonderful head angle. Ravens are wonderful birds.
Maybe it would be a good idea to darken the BG a bit but I am not sure about this.

Markus

[Peter Coskun]

Great portrait with perfect exposure in the Raven and wonderful head angle. Ravens are wonderful birds.
Maybe it would be a good idea to darken the BG a bit but I am not sure about this.

Markus

Thank you, I thought about darkening the background but as you are I was unsure about it. I feel the light BG helps the bird pop.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Peter, I like this. The bird appears well exposed with sharp details. I like the head angle and the catch-light in the eye. I like the contrast of the light background and the dark raven. If you darken the background don't be too heavy handed. Another composition option I offer (purely personal preference) is cropping some off the bottom. I am having a hard time explaining so I have attached my suggestion (sorry about cutting off your name). Again just a suggestion as I think your presentation also works. Thanks for sharing.

[Peter Coskun]

Hi Peter, I like this. The bird appears well exposed with sharp details. I like the head angle and the catch-light in the eye. I like the contrast of the light background and the dark raven. If you darken the background don't be too heavy handed. Another composition option I offer (purely personal preference) is cropping some off the bottom. I am having a hard time explaining so I have attached my suggestion (sorry about cutting off your name). Again just a suggestion as I think your presentation also works. Thanks for sharing.

Ah I see where you cropped where the feathers just kinda break away. I thought about cropping it that way but I wasn't too sure.

[DanWalters]

Nice portrait and I like the details in the blacks. I like the slight crop off the bottom as well.