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Thread: Yellow-Headed Caracara

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Default Yellow-Headed Caracara

    From a wonderful boat trip on the Tarcoles River during my Costa Rica Workshop in April. This Yellow-Headed Caracara couldn't have picked a nicer perch than this one for a boat full of photographers. I like the subtle rim lighting of the bird.



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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Doug:

    Very nice calling pose, soft but directional light, pleasant BG.
    I like the comp.
    For personal taste, I wish the perch wasn't quite so massive, but being on the end helps.

    I might try a version with a bit more sharpening of the eye and face. It is sharp now, but I think the extra local contrast would give it a bit more impact.

    Sounds like you had a good time!

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    I can just imagine the excitement of your group with this guy cooperating so nicely!! The calling pose with the head angled towards us is very appealing. I love the BG with the subtle hints of reds.

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    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
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    Right place,right time. A stunning image Doug. Everything works.

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    Beautiful calling pose , killer BG and light , Excellent image Doug , may be few point contrast boost
    TFS

  6. #6
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    A beauty Doug and you are right the perch is perfect. Love the pose, good detail and excellent pose. The BG is awesome too !!! Congratulations !!

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    Amazing BG and feather detail...I love the calling pose

  8. #8
    Fabs Forns
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    Love the soft light and the calling? pose. Terrific BG and fair perch. TFS, Mr. married guy :)
    How's the new life?

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    This is surely one to print and hang on the wall ... for the all the reasons you and others have noted. I especially like the rim light. Outstanding capture.

    I would suggest two small refinements: 1) Open the shadow details of the feathers just a bit more (S/H, and curves to increase contrast a tad)
    and sharpen the fine details. 2) Cut off the part of the perch that merges with the bird. (This also cuts off a little bit of talon showing in the gap,
    but we know it's there only because we've seen it. It could just as plausibly be gripping the perch out of sight.)



    EDIT: Others have mentioned the size of the perch, so I thought I'd try this just for discussion. I'm undecided. The heavier perch doesn't really bother me.

    Last edited by David Thomasson; 06-25-2010 at 10:02 AM.

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    The pose and lighting set this one apart. Love it!

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Lovely soft light Doug, and what strikes me here apart from a perfect calling pose, is the clarity of the eye. How is that BG. Interesting small adjustments by David.

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    Well captured Doug. I love the head turn and calling pose. It makes me want to get back to Costa Rica.

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    Doug,
    Wonderful Image...exposure, action sharpness etc.
    Dave's treatment is a plus
    I would lighten the eye just a little!!
    Congrats,
    Mike

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    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
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    Doug I been on 2 of these trips on the Tarcoles...stayed near Jaco...you must have seen so many birds and some fairly large crocs...I like the head angle, almost looks like he's smiling at you photographers.

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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Many thanks for the PS work David! I think the top right version is a big improvement! Not as crazy abou the version with the small perch (too small IMO).
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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    excellent pose, light, perch and BG, I like the David's sharper version but with the original natural perch. TFS
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Brown View Post
    Many thanks for the PS work David! I think the top right version is a big improvement! Not as crazy abou the version with the small perch (too small IMO).
    I'm not wild about it myself. I never quite know what to make of an envisioned edit until I see it on the screen. In this case, I think the original perch balances just fine with the subject. Big congrats on a great image!

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    I also like the repost on top right even though the perch might seem large, but at the same time balances the image IMO.
    It's not easy to get such a clean BG at Tárcoles so congrats for that.

  19. #19
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fabs Forns View Post
    How's the new life?
    Going great so far!
    Last edited by Doug Brown; 06-26-2010 at 11:19 AM.
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    Wow, this one is just terrific. I do not worry about the size of the perch, in fact, I love it. No overlapping between bird and perch would be great. Light is just killer, sweet Bg and what a pose! Hope to see more from Costa Rica :)

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    BPN Viewer Haim Ziv's Avatar
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    Fascinating pose. I love it.

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    BPN Member Kerry Perkins's Avatar
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    Hi Doug, what an exciting capture! Beautiful image and the bg is awesome. I do like Dave's first edit.

    Didn't know you got married - big congratulations to both of you!! Hope to see you at Bolsa Chica next month.
    "It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson

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  23. #23
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kerry Perkins View Post
    Didn't know you got married - big congratulations to both of you!! Hope to see you at Bolsa Chica next month.
    Thanks Kerry. Tied the knot last weekend in Vegas. It'd be nice to see you in July!
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