This is another of the black-winged stilts shot this spring near Pudong Airport in Shanghai. I was in the chilly water with a flock of about 50, moving closer and closer as the sun shifted lower and lower and the light got better and better. Instead of explaining my alterations, I'm simply going to post the original below.
Beautiful lighting detail and exposure. Nice action as well. Like both Craig but prefer the one you posted first as the OOF bird is slightly distracting as are the grasses. In the first image you are able to totally focus on the stilt without anything pulling your eye away. Beautiful capture and TFS.
I agree totally with what Judy Lynn said, Craig. This is a beautiful image. The only thing I might consider is running a little noise reduction on the background. (And maybe the sheen on the bill and leg, if you wish). A lovely bird in great light.
nice light, craig!! agree with the girls. cleaning up the sheen on the legs and bill will make a huge improvement. i think a small crop off the bottom would strengthen it also. i like the striding pose!!
I really like the sweet light and active pose Craig. Agree that highlights on legs and beak should be softened. Good job on removal of distracting elements in the first image.
Another vote for minimizing the sheen on the legs and bill, and I also agree on cropping some off the bottom (about half the current space below). Good post processing work. Nice pose and very pretty light you had here. Were you in the water with 50 other photographers??:D:p
Black-winged Stilt, Golden Hour
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