Snowy Sunset

[Kerry Perkins]

Captured just moments before the sun went down yesterday at Malibu Lagoon. The egrets have been prolific this year and there are juvis everywhere. :D

Topaz Denoise and Detail were used.

7D, EF400mm f/5.6L
Manual mode, f/5.6@1/2000 ISO 400 WB 5100K
AI Servo autofocus, hand-held
580EX II FEC -1 E-TTL mode Evaluative w/Beamer

[Ian Cassell]

I really like the pose and the crop. I think his neck might be a bit hot.

[Bill Dix]

Hi Kerry. Beautiful pose and composition. Agree some of the whites in the neck may be blown. Generally would have been better to have the sun more at your back, of course, but you take what you're given; and the angled light does somehow add to the feeling that the sun is setting.

[John Chardine]

I love the dappled lighting here Kerry, and the spotlight effect on the face. Nice flash work too, giving just enough fill to make the subject stand out from the BG. The highlights around the rim of the bird could be hot but I'm not distracted by them, maybe because I imagine this is what your eyes might produce. A little bit of water cleanup may help.

[James Shadle]

Kerry,
I love messing around with flash and backlighting!
IMO slightly blown highlight are no big deal when it is "rim lighting" like you have in this image.
The flash work is excellent. Any more flash probably would have over powered the reflections from the water on the Snowy's body.

Did you create any Verticals?

[Rachel Hollander]

Kerry - I really like the spot effect on the head and the comp.

TFS,
Rachel

[Julie Kenward]

Lovely image, Kerry. I also wanted to add that the movement of the feet through the water adds a nice bit of movement to the image and the dappled light is gorgeous.

[Kerry Perkins]

Thanks everyone for your comments - much appreciated!

James, I did get some verticals of snowies and a juvi reddish that was there. Will post some!

[Mark Young]

Lovely pose, nice reflection lines across the body of the bird, and the open bill and sharp eye are nice touches.

[Judy Howle]

Very striking image! The light is perfect and the pose is really nice.