Project (Creatively) - Great Egret Chick

[Robert Amoruso]

From a recent Gatorland Workshop I gave.

Canon 7D
100-400mm @ 400mm
1/2000 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Manual
Metering: Evaluative
ISO: 800
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Flash exp comp: -3 with diffuser pulled down and better beamer down.

I was shooting BIF and then noticed this Great Egret chick (now as large as an adult) against a white sky. Since I was too close even at -3 EC with the beamer, I flipped down the diffuser to soften the flash instead of removing the beamer that way I could get right back to the BIFs. Next time I will go for more DOF to get the end of the beak.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool angle, great to see both eyes this way and I also like the high-key effect and composition. I'm wondering what it would look like with a tad less contrast.

[denise ippolito]

Robert, Good tip using the diffuser. I love the pose and the sharp details. The high key BG is lovely.

[Robert Amoruso]

Cool angle, great to see both eyes this way and I also like the high-key effect and composition. I'm wondering what it would look like with a tad less contrast.

Somewhat softer but I wanted the eyes and beak to pop on the white BG so I did a curves adjustment and then changed the blending mode to Multiply and selectively masked different areas in and out. I think what you might be thinking Axel is what I at first ended up with before I made the adjustment above.

Thanks for your comments.

[Lance Peters]

Love the perspective and big fan of high key - ohhh to be able to get this close to your subject!!

[Stu Bowie]

Well thought out Robert, and I like the angle. Overall well exposed too.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Robert, loved this one. I am infact, liking the shallow DOF here. Well seen and executed.

[Troy Lim]

Love this, got to try it next time when I get a chance.

[Sid Garige]

Great out of box image Robert. Well executed.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Thats some angle Bhai, loved those eyes..

[Lorant Voros]

Very interesting picture. Love the angle and the high key look. Well done.

Lorant