Stonechat

[Stu Bowie]

This was taken a few weekends ago at a small nature reserve close to my house. The BG is natural as shot.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/2000
F/5.6
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from the car

[Michael Hogan]

Stuart, Good shot. These guys look easy to take as they go to the top of a bush and give out like mad but when you try to take the shot they are gone in a flash. Great capture. I think the light was a bit harsh but you did well. A little bit of selective brightening at the back of the head area would be nice. Killer BG, great pose and great perch.

TFS

Michael

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks Michael. I feel the light wasnt too harsh - taken at 8.00am in the morning. Buts thats Africa for you.;)

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the perch BG and cleaness of the image. I agree with Michael on brightening up the back of the head. Well done Stuart!

[Stu Bowie]

Here is a repost with a bit of shadow recovery. Any Better?

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the repost better. The eye stands out more now. Nice work Stuart.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Compositional line of perch and bird is really pleasing! Like the re-post more, details in blacks are good.

[Ben_Sadd]

The repost looks great. I love the details and the pose. I might consider a small crop from the bottom, as the relative position of the bird in the frame is a bit high for me.

[Gary Hamilton]

The repost worked wonders on the head, and you could not have asked for a better background. You did extremely well here. Cheers.

[James Salywoda]

Repost looks great nice colors,pose and bg.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the great feedback.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Beautiful pose,bg,colors!

[christopher galeski]

very nice,repost better,nice BG,good pose,plenty of detail in the bird.thanks and well done.

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, I really like the comp. and the pose. Well done.

[subramanya_ck]

Fabulous Image. Stuart's re-post is even better

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks everyone for the comments and feedback. Always appreciated.