Noisy Devil

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks

This Common Raven went on a rampage and flew around the neighborhood perching for a moment to let out another bunch of cries before taking off again.

No crop. Miinimal color correction

Comments always appreciated

Gus

Olympus E-620 IS, Zuiko 70-300 @ 380 mm HH
AP: F/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 200, AWB

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Hi Gus. I guess it is an alright composition, the angle of capture is too steep, but mainly there are large areas of dead black with absolutely no detail. Soft light (low contrast) is a prequisite for black birds, otherwise is is impossible to get the full range of exposure correct. regards~Bill

[Dave Mills]

Hi Gus, agree with the points made by Bill. Good advice on lighting since almost half the bird is void of detail. In this case the backround is distracting...

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gus - main points covered already - gotta have soft light for these guys - just no way to get detail in those blacks otherwise - could try flash - those blacks soak up light like a sponge.

Like the open beak pose :)

[Sandra K. Mathews-Benham]

I also agree, but wow, to get so much of a black bird--including the eye--as visible is so hard (I used to have a black cocker spaniel and spent years trying to get a good detailed shot of her). Thanks for sharing!

[Julie Brown]

Hi Gus. All the techs are covered above. This bird is so black it is almost purple! I like how you got the eye with a catchlight.:)