This is my first post on this site. I recognize quite a few of you from other sites. This heron flew across the lagoon at the UCSB campus where I work and perched about 15 feet away. It was sitting on a chainlink fence so I thought a portrait might work here. What do you think?
Hi - Here's the technical info:
Nikon D80
Nikon 80-200 1:2.8 AF-D (I think I had a 1.4 TC attached but it doesn't get recorded in the EXIF data) ISO 400 f/8.0 1/1000 sec (spot metering mode)
Raw file worked up in DxO and then photoshop.
Welcome Leroy. Sharp. Nice COMP and BKGR. The light is very bright and harsh and the bird is somewhat of a mess, epsecially the bill which is badly beaten up. And I believe that the yellow around the bill and on the neck are stains.
Later and love, artie
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
For this head shots I find the eye being the key With this crop the head looks odd/ small compared to the body Would try to move even closer and go tighter Would try to compose my image from the UR quadrant making it really tight btw that bird needs some serious cleaning up to do !!!! :)
Hi Leroy... It's good to see you here! I really like this image... Battered bill and all... It's a hard life out there! I would agree with Fabs about room on top.
Nice close up with a lot of character in the bird's worn & torn appearance. For some uses, it is just right.
Is that an actual hole / chip out of the bill? Personally, I find injuries and battle wounds interesting most of the time, but depending on intended use of the photo, I might repair that one in PS.
If you look closely at the breeding plume (under magnification) there is some purple-ish fringing going on there. Not really noticed looking at it like a "normal" person though.
The light wasn't optimal by any stretch. Here in Santa Barbara we are blessed/cursed with mostly cloudless days and this shot was taken at 4:00 in the afternoon. If only I could make the marine layer roll in on command.
I don't think there's a hole in the bill. It looks like the skin like material is rubbing off the beak. This bird wasn't being very diligent about polishing it's bill for sure.
Bcnh
Reply With Quote