I took this last week, about 90 mins before sunset. This bird was one of 3 that was feeding on the edge of the surf looking for food as the water receded.
Canon 7D
300f4+1.4tc
ISO320
1/2500
f/7.1
-0.7
Av mode
Beautiful bird, beautiful BKGR, loverly light, perfect head angle, and beautiful WHITEs. I like the SQ presentation but the tiny feather sticking up off the back bugs me and I could stand a bit more room in front of the bird. Do you have any more on the right?
IAC, this a s superb image.
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The bill is very sharp, the eye might stand a bit more sharpening. It is pretty sharp, but sometimes the way the cornea reflects light reduces the apparent sharpness.
I wanted to see if I could tease a bit more detail out of the whites. They are not blown in the original, but are so white that i thought it was worth a try to bring out more texture.
Use quick selection tool and multiply/mask on body only, set at 35%.
Fairly subtle, but I liked it. You can easily adjust this effect to taste. I also did a quick pass on the eye(sharpening)
Just an option.
Cheers
Randy
PS: Arite was typing as I was working on the repost.
Last edited by Randy Stout; 10-19-2010 at 06:42 PM.
Excellent portrait for all of the reasons stated above! Very nicely done!
I prefer the more brilliant whites in the original post which have plenty of detail to my eye.
I agree with wanting more room on the right but also think it could use a bit less at the the top.
Here's a repost that shows what I had in mind. See what you think.
Don't think the eye needs any more USM but I darkened the pupil which can make the eye appear to be sharper.
Nice portrait, Mark, and I like your handling of the whites. I also like the styled "hair" along the back of the head. Square comp works well with just enough grey shoulder visible, but I agree with a touch more room in front.