Red-winged Blackbird

[Gary Irwin]

Here's the type of "environmental" shot that I really prize...the type of shot that I'd hang on my wall.

As always, shooting a black bird is tough...to get the feather detail and not blow out the highlights. This was shot in early morning sunlight and I had to tone down the tree buds which were way to bright for the scene. The background was quite cool so I warmed the image a bit to suit my taste, which fortunately did not affect the bird.

Technically, the bird is looking the "wrong way" (out of the frame) but I still think it works.



Nikon D3, 500VR+TC17EII
1/250s f/8.0 at 850.0mm iso800 no flash

So what do you think?
Tx.

[Julie Brown]

Well Gary, it works for me! Looks to me like you nailed the exposure. I like the perch and the background.

So, are you going to hang this on your wall?:)

[Linwood Ferguson]

I love the composure, the branch (very beautiful), the colors and smooth background. The exposure is great for a difficult black. But the backside view doesn't quite work for me, even with the head turned.

[Gary Irwin]

Well Gary, it works for me! Looks to me like you nailed the exposure. I like the perch and the background.

So, are you going to hang this on your wall?:)

LOL Thanks Julie! Actually I've never printed any of my photos...guess I'm just a digital dude! But if I ever do, I think I'd give this one a go. :)

[Gary Irwin]

I love the composure, the branch (very beautiful), the colors and smooth background. The exposure is great for a difficult black. But the backside view doesn't quite work for me, even with the head turned.

Thanks Ferguson. I like birds looking back over their shoulder, but would have preferred to have it looking "into" the photo -- just wasn't possible this time.

[Bryan Erb]

I really like the perch, nice background and exposure looks good. Wish for just a bit more of a head turn.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent composition...works very well for me. BEAUTIFUL perch!! I like over the shoulder poses such as this, I only wish that this fella would have turned his head a bit more. I would also reduce the blues on the plumage (try reducing the blue and cyan channels in Hue/Saturation). Good creative vision!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Works for me. Liked it a lot actually. Spot-on exp. and comp. Thx for sharing.

[Raymond Barlow]

I like this one a lot., creative, and inspiring.

[Gary Irwin]

Thanks everyone for the comments...they are much appreciated.

Cheers!