Pheasant

[Jonathan Ashton]

Camera Model Canon EOS 7D
Firmware Firmware Version 1.2.1
Handheld
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/2500
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Spot Metering (Must have knocked it onto this setting!)
ISO Speed 320
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Focal Length 700.0mm
AF Mode AI Focus AF
AF area select mode Manual selection

I spotted this male and noticed a slight change in his posture so I anticipated his display, all comments welcome.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Good timing on your part. Setting is not the best , but this is a difficult bird to get and I think you did very well given the tough conditions. I wouldn't pass it up if I had the chance.

[Arthur Morris]

Good timing and accurate focus are the plusses. The color balance and light angle are off, especially the latter.... And the dead bush is a less than ideal BKGR.

[Stephen Stephen]

Jonathan I like the action and sharp focus. You've lost a lot of colour in the bird due to the sun angle. I could be wrong but does this image need a bit of clockwise rotation? The plants and the all seem to be on a bit of an angle.

All that being said I would have tried for this image as well.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thank you everyone for your comments - much appreciated.
Art the colour balance issue is eluding me - do you mean it needs warming up or the reverse?
Stephen, I think you are right perhaps 1.5 deg clockwise would do the trick.

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Jon, After and average blur the info showed: R: 139, G: 129, B: 118. So too much red and not enough blue... The repost is with a 100% Robert O'Toole average blur color balance, a 3.4 degree rotation, some Tim Grey dodge and burn, and some selective sharpening and lightening of the head and other areas...

Lots to learn. All in Digital Basics accept for the dodge and burn which will be in the next update.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks very much Artie - that looks a whole lot better. ;)

[Arthur Morris]

YAW. If I had an hour to kill I would have gotten rid of that bush!