Juvenile Bateleur

[Chris van Rooyen]

I encountered this young Bateleur early one morning in Kruger, sitting in the road. The light direction was not perfect, but because of the early hour, I decided to take a chance with the soft shadows. I adjusted the exposure by +1 stop, to ensure adequate light in the darks, and took my chances with the whites, bargaining that I would be able to recover any blown highlights later. This is the result. I removed some distracting shadows from the background and lightened the eye a bit. Does this work?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Sorry here is the data:

Camera Model: NIKON D3S
Date/Time: 2010:07:07 07:40:00
Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: +1
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 2500
Lens: VR 500mm f/4G

[Bert De Tilly]

Hi Chris

Very nice catch while moving I like the angle of the wings and play of light is excellent

[christopher galeski]

nice one,plenty of detail in the head,nice wing position,thanks.:)

[Josée Normandeau]

I think you did a fine job with the exposition. You have lots of details in the dark tones and the bright BG is OK too.

Don't know if you can bring more details in the darks with post-processing. Anyway I like it as is.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the angle, eye contact and BG and am wondering what a slightly wider crop would look like. You handled the light angle really well.

[Gen Benjamin]

I think it works wonderfully. The angle puts this image over the top.
Gen

[Loong-Tat Wong]

Wow love the details,eye contact and composition!

[Mark Dumbleton]

Excellent work Chris! Love the soft lighting and great detail captured on the bird!

[Krijn Trimbos]

Nice work with the less than ideal light angle Chris! Love the flight angle, detail and wingposition caught.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Chris, I love the detail that you have in this and the interplay of light and shadow. I too might favour a slightly wider crop, but love it as presented.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Awesome timing, and beautiful flight pose. The eye contact and detail is excellent. Fine capture of this beauty Chris !!

[Richard Stern]

"Does this work?" You bet! An excellent image, and I agree with the other replies.

Richard

[Daniel Cadieux]

Now that is a very intimate flight image Chris!! It works very well. Good job on the light. What caused the many small OOF circles in the lower part of the BG?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! Daniel I think you are referring to the gravel stones in the road

[Randy Stout]

Chris:
The side lighting really gives a nice sense of depth/definition here. Well seen and captured.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

That would be it. It stumped me, but that would make sense:o

Thanks guys! Daniel I think you are referring to the gravel stones in the road

[Dan Busby]

Works for me Chris! In fact I find it quite stunning. The focus and expression on the bird's face is incredible.

[Simon Bennett]

Well done getting the bird coming in your direction, pose works well, as does superb eye contact and detail about the face.

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Works quite nicely. Like the angle of flight, wing position, detail & colours. Great photography & post processing Chris!

[Charissa]

Ditto Gerrie, the man knows what he is talking about.:)) Excellent, work very well for me.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent sharpness and details, certainly works for me :)

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! I appreciate you looking and commenting!

[James Salywoda]

As always outstanding shots Chris you really handled your lighting perfectly here with such a beautiful dynamic pose captured.

[Hendri Venter]

Perfect Chris. Outstanding image. All other positives already mentioned. Well done.

[DanLim]

Couldn't be better than this ! Awesome !!!!