Ruddy Turnstone

[AlvanBuckley]

Shot near downtown Toronto this past May.
Sun was behind me and I laid down on the ground to get this low angle shot.

ISO 200
0 ev
f/5.6
SS 1/2000
Nikon D300s + VR 80-400 @ 400mm
no flash

More eye contact would probably be better but I like how it is looking out over the water. Also I think I got lucky with getting details in both the blacks and whites.

C&C always appreciated!
thanks in advance
-Alvan Buckley

[Dan Busby]

Very well done Alvan. Nice smooth BG, good low angle and great exposure and detail in the bird. Yes, I am sure the HAP will get you on the HA, but I am fine with it looking out over the lake. Nice glint in the eye. I think you have a dust spec in your camera that shows up in the ULC - easy to get rid of in PP.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good looking specimen - nice to get one in Spring with breeding plumage as we mostly see these guys during fall migration. Good job on the exposure. Great low angle, and I like that it has crept into the blue BG range. I for one would prefer a bit better HA (you knew that was coming!!). I would also eliminate a couple of the brighter OOF beach debris (e.g. the one in front of the far leg, and the behind the front foot). I'd may crop a bit at bottom, and yes to the dust spot URC.

[Bill Dix]

Very nice low-angle capture. Beautiful breeding plumage and bg color. Ditto Daniel's comments on HA, oof debris and crop.

[Aidan Briggs]

Good advice given above. I like the low angle and breeding plumage. I think the image could go a bit brighter.

[Fabs Forns]

Nice, sharp and moody. Agree on lightening it a bit. Good detail in blacks, whites and midtowns. Love the little spec highlights in the foreground sand.